Endicott Secures Top Seed in CCC Tournament With 3-0 Win Over Gordon

BEVERLY, Mass.- In a matchup that pitted two teams with identical 7-1-0 records in conference play against each other, Endicott would emerge victorious as they took down bitter Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) and cross town rival Gordon 3-0 on Tuesday evening.  With the win, Endicott secures the top seed in the upcoming CCC Tournament as they improved to 13-5-1 (8-1-0) on the season.  Gordon, who falls to 15-4-0 (7-2-0), will now wait for the result of tomorrow evening's Roger Williams & Salve Regina matchup to see if they will be the two or the three seed. 

Endicott, who dominated possession for most of the night, received a phenomenal team effort from everyone on the roster.  The Gulls limited the Fighting Scots to just six total shots in the match, with only one being on goal.  Endicott, meanwhile, was able to keep Gordon on their heels as they put up 24 shots total on the night.  Of Endicott's 24 shots, 12 were on goal as only one of Gordon's six was on goal.

"Everyone stepped up and got the job done tonight," stated head coach Jodi Kenyon.  "Madison Missinne's (Ridgefield, Conn.) work ethic and determination sets the tone for the entire squad and she played a great match.  Multiple players handled switches well that I demanded from them, and they came together to put forth a quality effort.  We showed great depth tonight and I thought in particular, Ally George (Stratham, N.H.) played very well at center mid."

Endicott got the scoring underway first Missinne would notch her fifth goal of the season in the 37^th minute.  The senior was able to establish midway down in the box and snap a shot off that was originally blocked by a Gordon defender.  With her quick feet, Missinne gathered the rebound and buried it past Gordon keeper McKenzie Dion (North Grafton, Mass.) for what would be the eventual game winner.  This would be the only score of the first half as the score would stand at 1-0 Endicott at the half. 

Of Endicott's 12 first half shots, four were on goal in the opening frame.  The Gulls also held the edge in corner kicks in the first half edging out the Fighting Scots 2:1.  Dion would make three saves in the half as Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) would make one save on her way to recording her sixth shutout. 

Not satisfied with the score standing at 1-0, the Gulls continued their offensive surge right out of the gate in the second half.  It was Missinne and sophomore Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.) who connected on the second Endicott goal to give the home squad the 2-0 advantage in the 57^th minute.  Marinelli, who had come on as a sub to close the first half, showed great vision and passing on her assist to Missinne.  Paige looked up to find a streaking Missinne crashing the right side of the box and put a stomach level cross straight to  Missinne.   Showing her offensive skill as well, Missinne settled the ball quickly and immediately put her shot past the Gordon keeper for her second of the night and sixth of the season.  The assist was Marinelli's second of the season.

Both teams would battle for possession as the match wore on with Endicott proving able to keep play in the opponents end more often than not.  The Scots would have their best opportunity of the night in the 66^th minute as Taylor McSherry (Wolcott, Conn.) would find herself with possession and space in the Endicott box.  Endicott keeper Donnelly charged at the last minute as McSherry's shot went off the side of her foot and wide left.

The Gulls would connect one last time late in the match as Shelby McLenithan (Bennington, Vt.) would tally her third of the season.  Dussi, whose offensive talents were on display as she repeatedly fed beautiful through balls and had solid first touches all night, would possess the ball just outside the Gordon box.  She looked up to see McLenithan and led her with a perfect pass that the freshman would take out wide right to beat the keeper to make the score 3-0 in favor of the hosts.  The goal and the assist, Dussi's second of the season, would prove to be all Endicott needed as the Gulls would win by a 3-0 final.

Endicott continued to apply the pressure in the second as they were able to register 12 more shots, eight of which were on goal.  Gordon was stifled even more in the second half as the Scots could only muster three more shots, none of which were on goal.  Endicott again held the edge in corners, this time by a 4:3 margin to close the match with a 6:4 advantage.  Fouls were even throughout as the Gulls finished with eight fouls to Gordon's seven.  With the win, Donnelly now improves her personal record to 12-5-1 while Dion falls to 12-3-0.

Endicott will now gear up for another post season appearance as they wait to find out who they will host in the opening CCC Quarterfinal match on Saturday.  Gordon will now wait to see what seed they earn and will also be hosting a match come Saturday.