NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College soccer team begins New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference play with a visit from longtime rival Mount Holyoke College. Keep reading for the basics on the Pioneers and Lyons.
Last Meeting: September 18, 2010. Smith 1, Mount Holyoke 1 (2 OT).
Ellie Theurer (Gainesville, Fla./Oak Hall) scored in the 72nd minute to send the game to overtime, but despite a 24-14 shot advantage, Smith could not beat MHC goalie Elaine Harvey again.
Last Smith Win: October 6, 2009. Smith 2, Mount Holyoke 0. Theurer was the scourge of the Lyons again, opening the scoring in the fourth minute with an unassisted goal, then setting up
Emily Peake (Penobscot, Maine/George Stevens Academy) for a second tally later in the first half.
Lindsey Gregor (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast) made 11 saves to help Smith snap an eight game winless streak.
Mount Holyoke Overview: The Lyons are 1-1 on the young season, having followed up a 2-1 win over Colby-Sawyer in their opener with a 7-0 loss to Amherst College on September 14. In the win over the Chargers, Mount Holyoke battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit with a pair of second half goals to win their season opener for the first time since 2005.
Smith Overview: The Pioneers have lost two straight, both by one goal margins. After a 1-0 loss to Lyndon State College last Saturday, Smith made the long trip to Henniker, N.H. for a game against New England College. The game remained scoreless until the 81st minute, when the Pilgrims scored twice in two minutes to break the deadlock. Theurer pulled one goal back, but Smith could not find an equalizer in a 2-1 defeat.
Mount Holyoke Player to Watch: Kiana Lussier. A junior forward, Lussier netted the game winner against Colby-Sawyer.
Smith Player to Watch: Jenna BiCierro. A first year midfielder, BiCierro has started all three games this season, playing in all areas of midfield.
Did you know? Mount Holyoke's head coach, Kanae Haneishi, earned a master's in Exercise and Sports Studies from Smith in 2007.
