Endicott Scores 2-0 Win Over Plymouth State Behind Mellen and McLenithan Goals

BEVERLY, Mass.-  The Endicott women's soccer team played host to Plymouth State in non-conference action on Monday afternoon and it was the Gulls who took home the 2-0 win.  It was the third meeting all-time between the two programs as the record stood at an even 1-1 entering play.  With the win, Endicott moves to 5-2-3 (1-1-1) on the season and now is off until Saturday when they travel to Gordon for a noon start.  Plymouth State falls to 2-5-0 (1-1-0) with the setback and plays host to Lyndon State on Wednesday evening.

Endicott would own much of the offensive opportunities early in the match, as Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.) and Shelby McLenithan (Benninton, Vt.) were able to apply pressure to the back line of the Panthers, just missing out on through ball passes that went just long.  The Gulls' first high quality scoring chance came in the 20^th minute as Hannah Schneidenbach (Charlestown, R.I.) and Madison McKinley (Shrewsbury, Mass.) worked perfectly down the right side of the box.  A great leave from McKinley found Shneidenbach in stride as the senior got off a quick shot that was saved by Plymouth keeper Annaliese Schmidt (Newmarket, N.H.).

Endicott would continue to apply pressure to the Plymouth defense, seeing another quality shot in the 25^th minute.  A Marinelli cross found the foot of McKinley, whose one-timer skipped on the turf and was saved by Schmidt.  Shortly after, a Casey Mellen (Litchfield, N.H.) through ball found a streaking Schneidenbach again.  The senior found herself in on the keeper and a stride behind the defense as her first touch to settle, set up a strong shot with her right. Her shot across the face of the goal saw Schmidt come up huge, diving to her right to make a high quality save.

Plymouth's first real opportunity came in the 36^th minute when Hannah Kallis (Sanford, Maine) was able to run under a long pass.  Kallis, being challenged from the Endicott defender, played her first touch a bit long, allowing Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) a window to sprint out and close on Kallis.  The Plymouth forward was only able to get a light shot on as a sprawling Donnelly knocked it away from danger.

The final scoring chance of the half came on a deep run by Marinelli in the 42^nd minute.  The junior was able to get deep into the Plymouth State box on the left wing and put a hard cross back to the top of the box as Rebecca Litwin (Westborough, Mass.) ran onto the ball and one timed a shot through traffic.  Schmidt remained on point as she dove to her right to make the save, keeping the score tied at 0-0.

At half, Endicott heavily out-shot the Panthers by a 14-1 advantage, 8 of them being on goal to one for Plymouth.  Both squads were whistled for five fouls as Endicott was awarded the lone corner in the half.

The second half would begin much like the first did, with Endicott dominating possession and breaking out on long runs. Marinelli would run out wide on the left side and get by her defender to snap a shot on goal to the near post.  A diving save by Schmidt to her right kept the score tied for the time being.

The Gulls then got a great shot after a cross caromed to the foot of Claire Mansfield (Stoneham, Mass.).  The senior played her first touch to her right, creating space between her and the closing defender and rifled a shot towards the net that went just wide of the right post but signaled that the Endicott offense was getting close.

Casey Mellen would give Endicott their next shot as she put on an impressive display of ball handling, dribbling through traffic.  Her chip shot from 15 yards out, caused Schmidt to leap into the air and just poke it over the cross bar and out for an Endicott corner.  Once set, Marinelli took the corner and found Schneidenbach who took the shot only to see Schmidt again make the save.

The Gulls would finally break through off of a beautiful long outlet from Nicole Taylor (North Easton, Mass.) to Paige Marinelli.  Marinelli would run to the end line and play a beautiful cross into the box to Mellen who would beat the Plymouth keeper to the right side of the goal to give Endicott the 1-0 lead in the 61^st minute.  Mellen's goal was her first of the year as was the assist for Marinelli.

Just two minutes later, it would be Mellen and Marinelli creating another opportunity for the Gulls.  Marinelli lined up for a free kick just 20 yards out and placed it across the face of the goal, causing Schmidt to dive to her right and deflect the ball away from goal.  The ball would trickle out of her reach, and allow Mellen to pounce on the loose ball and play a looping cross into the box that would bounce once and find a charging Shelby McLenithan. McLenithan would head the ball in for her second goal of the season with the assist being Mellen's first and capping her three point day.

That goal would be the end of the scoring as Endicott defense absolutely stifled the Panthers attack, holding the visitors to just three total shots in the match, with the one lone shot on goal being a Donnelly save.  In comparison, the Gulls recorded 26 shots, 17 of which were on goal, causing Schmidt to make 15 saves.  Endicott also held a 3-0 advantage in corners while fouls were even at seven a piece.

With the win, Endicott moves to 5-2-3 (1-1-1) and extends its unbeaten streak to five (3-0-2).  The Gulls now have four days to prepare for CCC/North Shore rival Gordon on Saturday at noon.  Plymouth State falls to 2-5-0 (1-1-0) on the season and has a quick turnaround as they play host to Lyndon State on Wednesday.