Canfield's late-minute heroics win it for UMass

Women's soccer
Domenic Poli

Senior Britt Canfield scored a goal in the final minutes of the Massachusetts women's soccer team's game against Dartmouth last night to pull the Minutewomen to a 1-0 win.

It was the first time UMass (4-0-1) has beaten the Big Green (1-7) since 1995.

In the 84th minute, Vanessa Patry recieved a ball from out of the back. The junior knocked about a 10-yard pass to freshman Therese Smith, who turned and shoveled it to Canfield. The through ball met perfectly with Canfield, who put it into the net. It was her third goal of the season. Smith and Patry were credited with assists on the play.

"Dartmouth is a very good team," UMass coach Jim Rudy said. "They were very direct in their attacking style. One or two passes and they were launching it at your penalty area. Our defenders were under pressure at getting balls out and we tried to play possession and knock it around a little bit. And if we played accurately we were pretty good and if we misplayed balls then the next thing you know, we're under pressure, they get it and they're launching it at our penalty area again."

He said that, despite the goal, Canfield struggled much of the game. As did senior captain Jenny Roehrig and other key players.

He was satisfied with one performance, however. That of goalkeeper Kristin Walker.

The red-shirt senior was solid between the post and made five saves. The goose egg was her second shutout of the season and the 20th of her college career. She has now held opponents scoreless for 267:59.