Crusse’s First-Half Goal Lifts Curry to 1-0 Win Over Lesley
MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College women's soccer team earned a gritty 1-0 non-conference victory over Lesley University on Wednesday night at Walter M. Katz Field. The Colonels improve to 3-5-2 overall with the result, while the Lynx drop to 4-2-4.
The match was tightly contested from the opening whistle, with Lesley generating consistent offensive pressure. The Lynx finished with 17 total shots, 10 of them on goal, but were repeatedly denied by Curry goalkeeper Lexi Smardon, who delivered a standout performance in net. Smardon posted a season-high 10 saves to record her third shutout of the year.
Curry made the most of its first-half chances and broke through in the 30th minute. Senior defender Sarah Crusse found herself in the right spot off a rebounded shot from teammate Catia Fernandes, where she collected it and placed the ball into the corner to give the Colonels a 1-0 lead. It was Crusse's fourth goal of the season, and ultimately stood as the game-winner.
Despite being outshot 9-7 in the opening half and held without a single shot in the second, Curry's defensive unit, anchored by Crusse and Abigail Hart, kept the Lynx at bay. Lesley pushed hard for an equalizer after halftime, firing eight more shots and earning five corner kicks throughout the match. Smardon, however, stood tall in net, and the Colonels' back line cleared away multiple dangerous chances in the closing minutes.
On the other side, Lesley goalkeeper Madison Reed finished with four saves while conceding the lone goal. Lesley's offensive effort was paced by Annika Gnesda and Elsie Koehler, who combined for seven shots, but the Lynx were unable to convert their opportunities.
The victory snaps Curry's three-match winless streak and hopes to boost their momentum headed into the heart of conference play.
Curry will return to action on Saturday, October 4th, when they travel to CNE foe Nichols College, set for a noon kickoff.
