University of New Hampshire

DURHAM, N.H. – Christine Conaghy scored the only goal to lift the NJIT women's soccer team to Sunday afternoon's 1-0 victory against the University of New Hampshire at Wildcat Stadium.

UNH goalie Cat Sheppard (Nesconset, N.Y.) was not credited with a save as UNH generated an 18-2 shot advantage (5-1 on goal).

NJIT goalie Molly Saylor was credited with four saves and teammate Siani Magruder stopped another UNH shot from going into the goal to give the Highlanders a total of five saves.

UNH moves to 5-7-2 overall and NJIT's record advances to 5-10-1. Both teams now have an America East conference record of 3-3-1.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY
WSOC scoreboard final_10.17.21

UP NEXT

UNH returns to action Saturday, Oct. 23 at home against Binghamton University. Start time for Senior Day is 1 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.

FIRST HALF

In the end of the 4^th minute, UNH pressed into the box and that resulted in freshman Meghan Guarente (Sewell, N.J.) serving a corner kick that deflected off a NJIT player, providing the 'Cats with another scoring opportunity. The second corner kick was taken by sophomore Emily Bini (Guilderland, N.Y.) but the 'Cats were unable to take advantage as her service into the box was cleared out.
In the 16^th minute, Highlander Christine Conaghy made a quick, bold shot from the left side that sailed up and over the near post.
NJIT created a dangerous play and Conaghy put the ball in the back of the net at 18:52 with a header that Sheppard was unable to dive quick enough to block at the left post. Conaghy, whose shot was directed toward the middle of the cage before glancing off a UNH defender, was assisted by Whitney Roth on a pass from the right wing.
Off a corner at 24:53, sophomore Ella Dudley (St. Augustine, Fla.) served to classmate Alivia Kelly (Pembroke, Mass.), who in turn headed a pass to grad student and captain Casey Peterson (Round Hill, Va.). Peterson struck the ball and sailed it over the cross bar, just missing the net.
Nearing the end of the first half, in a full sprint attack the Highlanders pressed toward goal, but Sheppard boldly left the net and sent the ball outwards to halt their scoring opportunity.
On the last of four consecutive UNH corner kicks, Peterson createe a dangerous scoring opportunity and struck a shot that sailed over the right post in the 36^th minute.
The Wildcats ended the first half with and 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. It was a tough battle between the teams for shots on goal, which left that total tied 1-1. The 'Cats controlled possession (60%) and had a 5-2 edge in shots.

SECOND HALF

In the 54^th minute, UNH was awarded yet another corner kick, where they strategically utilized two runners who let the ball through to create a clear, powerful shot by Guarente that was blocked by a NJIT player.
A Wildcat direct kick in the 59^th minute sailed towards Kelly in the middle of the box, and her strong header towards the lower left corner was saved by Saylor.
In the 61^st minute, a corner kick into the box was won in the air by Dudly. Her header back toward the right post beat Saylor but Magruder, who was positioned near the right post, prevented the ball from finding its way into the back of the net and denied UNH's attempt to tie the game.
In the 78^th minute, sophomore Anna Hewlett (Webster, N.Y.) crafted a scoring opportunity by serving the ball to Kelly for a header that trailed to out the left of the goal.
In the 82^nd minute, Guarente drilled shot that barreled towards the low middle of the net that was saved by Saylor. Less than a minute later, Kelly challenged Saylor's skills with a long shot that the goalie came out to grab.
In the last 30 seconds, Guarenete's attempt from beyond the box trailed towards the left and missed the net into Saylor's gloves.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

UNH finished with a 18-2 shot advantage, with 5-1 on goal, and a 10-2 edge in corner kicks.
Guarente and Bini tied with a game-high five shots. Kelly followed with four.

UNH NOTEBOOK

UNH – and Sheppard – entered Sunday's match with three shutouts the past three games.
Conaghy's goal at 18:52 ended Sheppard's career-long shutout streak at 291 minutes, 13 seconds.

SERIES NOTEBOOK

This was the first ever meeting between the UNH and NJIT women's soccer programs.

'Cats Fall 1-0 to NJIT Despite 18-2 Shot Advantage