Nov. 4, 2010

Box Score

KINGSTON, RI - Freshman Renee Washington led six-seeded La Salle Women's Soccer to a 2-1 victory over three-seeded Duquesne, scoring both goals for the Explorers in the opening match of the 2010 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Friday evening at the URI Soccer Complex.

The Dukes (9-9-1) struck first, as Paige Maroney put Duquesne on the board just four minutes into the game on a shot to the top left corner from inside the box, assisted by Kristin Vinicky.

The Explorers responded less than 10 minutes later when Heather Steadman sent a ball past the Duquesne defense which Washington ran down, settled, then drove a hard shot into the right upper-90 after a breakaway down the left side at 13:28.

La Salle (11-8-2) took the lead 14 minutes into the second half when Washington struck again for her 12th goal of the season and her fifth game-winning goal. Anna Dolhansky sent a pass across the top of the box to Washington who beat Duquesne goalie Gabby Morrin.

“She’s an incredible talent out there. She took a lot of the burden of the goal scoring for us this season,” La Salle Head Coach Paul Royal said. “She really stepped up; she’s got that knack for getting around the goal and finishing balls.”

Washington now ranks second in the league in goals and game-winning goals, while the 12 goals this season is tied for third all-time in a single season at the school, while her 27 points is tied for eighth.

Gabby Pakhtigian made six saves in net for La Salle after allowing the early tally. With the victory, she has now tied the school record for wins in a single season by a goalkeeper with Kaitlin Glass in 2000 at 11.

La Salle now advances to the A-10 Championship's semifinal and will take on top-seeded Charlotte, Friday night at 5 PM.