Collins Ignites Saints' 3-0 Win over Elmira

by: 

Wally Johnson

Mackenzie Collins scored two goals just 25 seconds apart against Elmira on Sunday

First year forward Mackenzie Collins scored a pair of goals just 25 seconds apart late in the first half, sending St. Lawrence University's women's soccer team on its way to a 3-0 win over Elmira and a sweep of its home opening weekend.

The Saints, who beat Nazareth College 2-0 on Saturday, improved to 3-2-1 with a dominating performance against the 2-3-0 Soaring Eagles, outshooting Elmira 22-5 for the game and earning nine corner kicks to one for Elmira. Saint senior goaltender Abby van Geldern made five saves for her third shutout of the season, all in the second half, while Karissa Wilson made one save on three shots in the first half and Camilla Greeby stopped four of five shots on goal by the Saints in the second half.

St. Lawrence came up empty on a number of outstanding chances in the first 40 minutes of the game, twice hitting the crossbar and then sending a shot just wide on a wide open net.

"I was very pleased with our patience and problem solving on the field. Although we had a missed few really good scoring opportunities early on, the team stayed patient and stuck to the game plan," said Saint coach Franco Bari.

"This was a really good weekend for us. We had a chance to compete against strong opponents and provide experience to our younger players as we prepare for conference play."   

Collins finally broke the scoring ice off a corner kick with 2:31 to go in the half. Katherine Polido's kick was played by Wilson, but the ball went off her hands, bounced off the crossbar and right to Collins who was alone at the opposite post and volleyed the ball into the goal for her first collegiate goal.

She didn't wait long to score her second. Classmate Nyssa LaClair made a run up the middle on a two-on-one and crossed the ball to Collins just inside the 18 yard box and Collins hit a hard shot inside the near post with 2:06 left in the half for a 2-0 lead at the intermission.

Junior Stephanie Sayward completed the scoring for the Saints with her fourth of the season as she took a lead pass from Brooke Hessney, gained a step on a Elmira defender and hit a long, hard shot from outside the 18 which curled into the upper left corner for her fifth of the year.

The Saint defense was again solid in front of van Geldern holding Elmira without a shot attempt in the first half. The Saints allowed a total of just 16 shots in their weekend sweep.

The Saints will open Liberty League competition next weekend when they play at Skidmore on Saturday.