NORTHFIELD, VT – Freshman forward Jodi Pollack (Andover, Mass.) scored a pair of goals just 35 seconds apart late in the first half to help Saint Joseph's (5-4-1, 2-4-1 GNAC) defeat Norwich University (4-6-2, 2-4-2 GNAC), 2-0, in a GNAC women's soccer match on Saturday afternoon.
After battling through an even opening 39 minutes, Pollack struck first blood for St. Joe's in the 40th minute by finishing off a cross at the top of the six-yard box from Doe Leckie (Naples, Maine) to put the Monks up 1-0.
Just 35 seconds later Pollack struck again, getting by the NU backline and finishing off a pretty strike off the cross bar and down into the back of the net to make it 2-0 in favor of the Monks.
SJC junior netminder Jaci Lorenzen (Windham, Maine) required just one save to notch her fifth shutout of the year and 15th of her career. Norwich junior goalkeeper Liz Chapdelaine (Somerset, Mass.) made five saves for the Cadets in the loss.
Saint Joseph's held advantages in shots (15-8), shots on goal (7-1) and corner kicks (4-3) on the afternoon. Both teams were hit with 10 fouls.
With the victory Saint Joseph's improves to 3-2-2 in the history of the series with Norwich. Today's shutout versus the Cadets is the Monks' first against their conference counterpart since the teams played to a 0-0 deadlock in their first-ever meeting, which took place at Westerlea Way Field on October 23rd, 2007.
Both sides resume conference play on Monday, when Saint Joseph's hosts Mount Ida College in a 1:00 PM kick-off and Norwich takes on Lasell College at home at 3:30 PM.
Saint Joseph's College, founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, celebrates its Centennial year in 2012 with a theme of "Realize the Promise" – honoring our commitment to educating well-rounded graduates who combine career focus with classic liberal arts studies. A Private, Catholic, primarily residential, coeducational liberal arts institution, Saint Joseph's welcomes students of all ages and all faiths. The campus, located 18 miles northwest of Portland and just two hours from Boston, encompasses 350 acres along the shore of beautiful Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine. Enrollment ranges between 1,000 and 1,100 students annually. Saint Joseph's offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education, nursing and business fields in a value-centered environment.
