Box Score BOX SCORE
When and Where: September 1, 2017 – Springfield, Mass. (Abdow Field)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 2, University of Bridgeport 0
Records: SNHU 1-0, Bridgeport 0-1
Seniors Alena Woodarek (Springville, N.Y.) and Courtney Benson (Hopkinton, N.H.) each scored goals to lead the Southern New Hampshire University women's soccer team to a season-opening 2-0 blanking of the seventh-ranked University of Bridgeport on Friday at the American International College Classic at Abdow Field.
Southern New Hampshire snapped a scoreless deadlock just 4:21 before halftime when Woodarek collected a broken cross-field pass and deposited a shot into the lower left corner of the net to make it 1-0.
SNHU doubled its lead just 3:53 after the break as Benson's bender of a corner service launched right into the goalmouth and into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.
Senior goalkeeper Paige Salmon (W. Hempstead, N.Y.) turned aside all three shots she faced to record her sixth career shutout, while Jennifer Wendelius racked up eight saves for the Purple Knights.
Notes:
-The Penmen also toppled Bridgeport last season, 2-1 in overtime, when the Purple Knights were ranked 10th in the country.
-SNHU is now 3-0-1 against nationally-ranked opponents over the last two regular seasons.
-Woodarek's goal was her fourth in a Penmen uniform and the first since Oct. 29, 2014, while Benson's tally was also the fourth of her SNHU career.
-Southern New Hampshire outshot Bridgeport, 13-7, while corner kicks were even at three apiece.
Up Next:
The Penmen wrap up their time at the AIC Classic on Sunday, Sept. 3 when they take on Long Island University-LIU Post at 11 a.m. SNHU kicks off its home slate Wednesday, Sept. 6 (4 p.m.) when it plays host to Post University at Larkin Field.
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