Loughman Connects to Lead Falcons over JWU 1-0

Photo by Ron Waite
Photo by Ron Waite

Meghan Loughman (Trumbull, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal on a header off of a Shelley Mirmina (Milford, Conn.) assist in the 15th minute as the Albertus Magnus women's soccer team defeated Johnson & Wales 1-0 in league action on Tuesday.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 12-3-2 on the year and 9-1 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.  Their 12 victories mark a regular-season program record and tie the program's wins record in a single season as the Falcons finished the 2011 season with a 12-7 overall mark.

To secure the victory, Mirmina sent a high cross into the box where it found the head of Loughman whose shot went post-to-post giving the Falcons an early lead. For Mirmina, it was her 15th career assist as she is now tied for first place all-time in that category for the Falcons' women's soccer program.  Current senior women's soccer player Amanda Roke (Cheshire, Conn.) and former standout Danielle "DJ" Figueroa also have 15 career assists.

The shutout victory marked the 10th of the season for the Falcons and the eighth of the year for sophomore keeper Maria Case (West Haven, Conn.).  Case, who entered the game with the program's single-season record of seven shutouts, added more one to her tally.  She also finished the contest with eight saves.

The Wildcats outshot the Falcons 16-10 in the contest, including a 10-5 clip in the second half.  In the second frame, Johnson & Wales came out of the break and registered the first three shots.  The Wildcats also held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Alexa Rose allowed the lone goal and made one stop in net for the Wildcats.

The Falcons have now won eight contests in a row.

Albertus will finish the regular season on Saturday when the Falcons travel to Boston to take on Emmanuel College. The Saints are 8-7-2 on the year and are ranked fourth in the conference standings.  That game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.