NORTHAMPTON, Mass. October 18, 2005 - Springfield College senior forward Amanda Nealon (Falmouth, Mass.) scored two second half goals to lift the Pride to its sixth-straight victory, 2-1, over Smith College in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 18) in Northampton, Mass.

After a scoreless opening half, Nealon broke the 0-0 tie as she netted her fifth goal of the season off a cross from sophomore midfielder Lindsay Bugbee (Granby, Conn.) at the 75:34 mark. The Pride then doubled its lead on a similar play, as freshman midfielder Lauren Peltier (Agawam, Mass.) chipped the ball to Bugbee in the right corner, who then crossed it yet again to Nealon for the eventual game-winner in the 82nd minute of action (81:49). The goal was Nealon's team-leading sixth of the season.

The Pioneers (6-5-2, 3-3-1 NEWMAC) tried to make things interesting, as Catherine Peo found the back of the net at the 85:33 mark to cut the lead in half. That was all that sophomore keeper Amanda Petri (East Granby, Conn.) would allow, however, as the goalie picked up three saves on the way to recording her seventh win of the season (7-2-1).

SC improves to 9-4-2 on the season and an impressive 6-1 in NEWMAC action, good for second place. Since the Pride's conference opener against Wheaton back on September 24, SC has been perfect in the NEWMAC, winning its past six. This month has been kind to the Pride as well, as SC is a perfect 6-0 in October matches.

The Pride looks to make it seven-straight as SC next hosts MIT in yet another league match-up on Saturday afternoon, October 22, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

published: 10/18/2005