ALBION -- Make it five straight.
On their home pitch for the first time in nearly a month, the Albion College women's soccer team prevailed over Mt. St. Joseph, 2-1, on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Brits improve to 5-1 overall as they wrap up non-conference play.
Nina Smith and
Avery Campbell both recorded their first collegiate goals in the win. Junior transfer
Megan Loney assisted both Briton goals.
Albion controlled the tempo for much of the first half. In the 12th minute, the hosts finally broke through with their first goal of the day, courtesy of Campbell. Loney raced through the Lion defense and played a through ball to Campbell. The sophomore laced a shot in the lower right 90 past the MSJ keeper for a 1-0 lead, which the Brits would hold heading into halftime.
Smith doubled the Albion lead in the 62nd minute. Loney found Smith just outside the 18, who buried a tremendous shot for her first collegiate goal. With just over 25 minutes to play, the Britons held a 2-0 advantage.
MSJ's lone goal came in the 83rd minute, when Catherine Hatfield's initial shot hit the crossbar and ricocheted right back to her. Hatfield's unassisted goal would be all the Lions would get, as junior goalkeeper
Romee Natschke was stellar between the pipes. Natschke collected eight saves in the win, improving to 4-1 as a keeper this season.
Albion opens conference action on Tuesday when they host Kalamazoo College. Kickoff against the Hornets is scheduled for 7 p.m.
