Women's Soccer Improves to 2-0 Behind Ancelj's Two Goals

Box Score

Aug. 24, 2010

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Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham's Michelle Ancelj had her second career multi-goal game, while the Rams' defense held the Maine Black Bears to just three shots, as Fordham posted a 2-0 win over Maine at Jack Coffey Field.

With the win, Fordham improves to 2-0, while Maine falls to 1-1. It marks the fifth time that Fordham has opened the season with back-to-back wins, the first since 2007.

Fordham opened with the first scoring chance of the game in the 12th minute. Kelsey Dougherty Howard fought through a defender and Maine goalkeeper Iris Gunnarsdottir in the box and chipped a shot toward goal. Maine defender Kaitlyn MacIsaac though swept across to knock the ball away for the defender save.

The Rams then broke through with a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Ancelj picked up a loose ball off a deflection, 15 yards out. Gunnarsdottir came out to challenge, but Ancelj kept control of the ball and slid the ball into the goal for her second of the season.

Mary Solimine was a part of the Fordham defense that allowed only three shots against Maine.

The score remained that way until the 82nd minute, when Ancelj struck again. Katie McDermott intercepted a ball at midfield, and chipped a pass to Ancelj streaking down the middle of the field. Ancelj then poked a shot toward net from 30 yards out, scoring her second goal of the game just inside the left post.

The two-goal cushion was enough for the Rams' defense, as they held Maine to only three shots in the game, none of which were on goal, giving sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Suther, her second shutout of the year, and sixth of her career.

The Fordham women's soccer team will next be in action on Sunday, August 29th, when the Rams host the Manhattan College, beginning at 1:00 PM on Jack Coffey Field.

Game Notes: This is only the second time Fordham has opened the season with back-to-back shutouts (2008)... This was Ancelj's second career two-goal game. Her other two-goal game came against Massachusetts last season... The two goals also moved Ancelj into a tie for 10th on the Rams' career goal scoring list with Corey Dunfey (2001-04) at 15... The assist by McDermott on Ancelj's second goal was her second of the season and 10th of her career, which is tied for 10th at Fordham with Caitlin Gansfuss (2002-05) and Courtney Fedge (2006-09).