When and Where: September 3, 2023 – Rindge, N.H. (Sodexo Field)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 4, (RV) Mercy University 1
Records: SNHU 2-0-0, Mercy 0-1-1
Freshman
Liv Gantelius (Lidingoe, Sweden) scored a pair of goals Sunday to lead the Southern New Hampshire University women's soccer team to a 2-0 triumph over Mercy University at Franklin Pierce University's Sodexo Field.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
KEY MOMENTS
- Thompson opened the scoring late in the 22nd minute, heading home a ball in the middle box off a free kick from Greene that started out on the left flank.
- Gantelius extended the lead to 2-0 just under eight minutes later when her defensive pressure near midfield caused a Mercy giveaway. She ran in toward the box with the ball and recovered her own rebound before sliding a quick shot past the Mavericks' goalkeeper.
- The score stayed that way until 9:47 into the second half when the Penmen took advantage of another Mercy giveaway. Anderson received a long cross toward the left corner of the box, eliminated her defender with a beautiful cut-back move and booted a right-footed shot past the diving 'keeper and inside the near post.
- Gantelius struck again late in the 79th minute, following yet another Mercy turnover. Orloff made the run into the attacking zone on left and sent a long, low pass toward the middle that was gathered by Gantelius, who dribbled into the box and beat the goalkeeper to make it 4-0.
- Mercy's goal came with 5:30 on the clock when Ancksu Dixon hit a blast from 35 yards out that Keith was able to jump and get a hand on, but the ball's momentum was able to carry it across the goal line.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sophomore Claudia Keith (Danvers, Mass.) stopped two of the three shots she faced.
- Mercy goalie Kamy Anaya made one save.
- SNHU outshot Mercy, 13-6, including 8-4 in the second half and 5-3 in shots on target.
- The Penmen also owned a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
NOTES
- Southern New Hampshire begins the season 2-0 for the fourth straight campaign and the seventh time since 2013.
- SNHU now leads the all-time series with Mercy, 4-3-2. The win for the Penmen is their first against the Mavericks since Sept. 6, 2019, but Southern New Hampshire is unbeaten in four of the last five (2-1-2) against Mercy.
- Gantelius' goals are the first two of her career.
- Thompson's tally is also the first of her career.
- Anderson's strike is her second of the season and the 11th of her career.
- With the 85th minute Mercy goal, Keith's shutout streak to begin her career came to an end at 283:52. She stopped the first 13 shots she saw over four appearances.
- The Penmen are now 46-19-13 (.673) over their last 78 matches dating back to the start of the 2017 campaign.
WHAT'S NEXT
- The Penmen are off until Thursday, Sept. 14 (6 p.m.) when they head to Florida to take on Lynn University.
- After six straight matches away from home to begin the year, SNHU finally opens its Ouellette Stadium slate Wednesday, Sept. 27 (7 p.m.) by playing host to Franklin Pierce.
