Wildcats Claw Nighthawks 4-2 In NECC Opener

LONGMEADOW, Mass.- Sophomore forward Melissa Toler (Paso Robles, Calif.) led the way for the Wildcats scoring two goals including the game winner in the 25^th minute of play. Bay Path defeated New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) rival the Nighthawks of Newbury College 4-2 in the conference season opener today at Ryan Field.

Bay Path's junior midfielder Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) struck early for the Wildcats flicking the first shot past Newbury's senior  keeper  Nikki Garafalo (Winsted, Conn.) scoring in just the first two minutes of play.

Sophomore forward Nicole Crossman (Winsted, Conn.) scored for the Wildcats seven minutes later at 9:31 on the clock after a well played cross up the middle from 45 yards back by freshman defender Brittany Schafer (Westtown, N.Y.).

Bay Path's Toler headed the eventual game winner in the 25^th minute.  Sophomore forward Megan Tancredi (Newington, Conn.) tallied the assist.

The Wildcats would head into the half-time break with the score 3-0.

The Nighthawks would come back in the second half with some fire in the shoes and freshman forward Corrinn Niski (Oxford, Conn.) would break up the shut-out scoring both of the Nighthawks goals.

Niski would launch a speedy breakaway from midfielder going IVI with Bay Path sophomore goalie Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.) proving victorious with a goal at 48:59 on the clock.

Toler would answer back in a hard way scoring Bay Path's fourth and final insurance goal of the game. Once again Tancredi would sail a beautiful cross from the rightside meeting up with Toler, Unfortunately, for Toler and Garafalo they would collide and take each other out in the goal.

Niski would find the back of the net for the final goal of the game at 85:15 again driving the ball down the field solo.

Rhodes (1-1) would notch the victory with seven saves and two goals against. She faced 17 shots on the day. Garafalo (0-2) would suffer the loss facing 24 shots, eleven on goal. She would finish with seven saves.

Bay Path is now 2-4-1 on the season and 1-0 in the NECC, Newbury is 0-1 in league play and 0-4-0 overall. Bay Path will host Mount Holyoke on Tuesday, September 25^th at 4:00 p.m., while Newbury hosts Pine Manor the same day at 4:00 p.m. as well.