Gulls Stifle Titans In Season Debut

Christina Vellucci's second-half goal provided the margin of victory as Endicott College (Mass.) defeated UW-Oshkosh, 2-1, in a women's soccer match held Saturday (Sept. 3) in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The contest marked the start of the 2011 season for both teams.

Endicott College, a first-time opponent of UW-Oshkosh, took the lead on Colleen Pepin's goal in the 27th minute (26:12) of action. The Gulls' Heather Moody fired a shot off UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Brittany Walder (Sr. • Waukesha) that rebounded directly to Pepin. Pepin then collected the ball and sailed a shot past Walder into the goal.

In the 52nd minute (52:00) of play, Vellucci doubled her team's advantage when she booted a shot that hit the inside of the post to the back of the net. Vellucci's scoring strike was assisted by Nicole Fournier.

UW-Oshkosh sliced its deficit in half when Nicole Strieker (Jr. • Janesville) headed a ball off a corner kick from Megan White (Fr. • Kimberly) at the 69:08 mark of the contest.

Endicott College launched 12 shots and three corner kicks. The Gulls were paced by the four shots of Chelsea Garlock and the two of Pepin. Goalkeeper Natalie Wyrsch saved three shots, all in the second half.

UW-Oshkosh was limited to just four shots, one each by Strieker, Becca Blue (Jr. • Kimberly), Kali Jahn (Fr. • Oregon) and Stephanie Schwertfeger (So. • Marinette). The Titans attempted four corner kicks. Walder saved four shots from scoring.

UW-Oshkosh remains in Plattsburgh to face Nazareth College (N.Y.) on Sunday (Sept. 4).