Posted by: Marc Mullen
PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle University Women's Soccer team won its third straight game at McCarthy Stadium Friday night with a 2-0 non-conference victory over Fairleigh Dickinson, as junior Shelby Reese scored the game-winner and Lauren Malizia recorded her first shutout of the season.
Off a corner kick by freshman Casey Riley, Reese headed the ball past Knight goaltender Kyla Clark to give the Explorers an early 1-0 lead just 14:15 into the match. It was Reese's first goal of the season and with the assist Riley registered her first collegiate point.
In the game, La Salle outshot Fairleigh Dickinson 23-2, and had a number of scoring chances to put insurance goals on the board. In the 64th minute, a 35-yard free kick by junior Jenna Guagenti sailed through the box without a touch, and four minutes later freshman Becky McGuigan's 20-yard free kick went just wide.
The Explorers finally increased their lead on freshman Melanie Gamble's second goal of the season in the 89th minute, with assists to freshman Ally Kenney and sophomore Dana Giordano.
Fairleigh Dickinson (1-6-1) recorded its only two shots of the game in the first half, both by Jennifer Arceneaux.
The Knights stayed in the game up until the end, thanks to their goalkeeper Clark, who made 10 saves on the night. Malizia registered her second career shutout while picking up the victory.
La Salle (3-5) remains at home for one more before starting conference play. They will host Lehigh, Sunday at 1 PM, then travel to Rhode Island (Friday, 7 PM) and Massachusetts (Sunday, 1 PM) to kick-off the A-10 slate.
