Ealges Defeat Clemson, 5-1

by Stephanie Tunnera

September 14, 2012

The No. 5 Boston College women's soccer team defeated Clemson, 5-1, in the first ACC match of the season at the Newton Soccer Field on Thursday night in front of 345 fans. BC is now 6-0-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while Clemson is now 5-2-2 and 0-1 in the ACC.

Boston College will next play at Harvard on Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m.

Senior Kristen Mewis had two goals and an assist while senior Victoria DiMartino had two assists in the win. Senior Maddie Payne also notched her first goal of the season. Freshman McKenzie Meehan and Zoe Lombard also registered late second half goals.

Mewis opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of play as she crashed the goal mouth on a Casey Morrison free kick from 40 yards out. The ball deflected off Victoria DiMartino and Mewis one-timed the ball by the Clemson goalkeeper Hunter Rittgers (seven saves) for a 1-0 BC lead.

The goal by Mewis was not the only offense she supplied for BC. The Eagles senior midfielder added her second of the night on a penalty kick in the second half. She has now has tallied a goal or assist in eight consecutive games. Mewis has six goals and six assists for a team leading 18 points.

Senior Maddie Payne gave BC a 2-0 lead at the half when she scored off a DiMartino pass in the 30th minute. It was Payne's first goal of the season.

In the second half, BC's offense continued to attack. Mewis was the recipient of a penalty kick when Clemson dropped Stephanie McCaffrey in the box in the 54th minute.

Three minutes later, Zoe Lombard scored off a header on a corner kick. Mewis sent the ball to the top of the box. Patrice Vettori's shot was fumbled by the Clemson keeper and Lombard out jumped the Tigers defender and goalkeeper to place the ball into the back of the goal.It was Lombard's first goal of the season.

BC's final goal was scored by freshman McKenzie Meehan. It was the rookies fifth goal of the season.

Clemson got on the board when the Tigers were awarded a penalty kick at 72nd minute. Tabitha Padgett scored off junior goalkeeper Jessica Mickelson who had just replaced starting goalkeeper Alexa Gaul for BC.

Boston College out shot Clemson, 26-3, in the game. The Eagles also held a lead in corner kicks.