SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Junior
Scarlett Brookes (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) scored twice to lift the 20th-ranked Saint Michael's College women's soccer team past American International College, 2-0, in its Northeast 10 Conference opener on Friday at Abdow Field. The undefeated Purple Knights' national ranking is according to the United Soccer Coaches, who have them slotted third in the East Region.
RECORDS
- Saint Michael's (5-0-2, 1-0 NE10), AIC (4-4, 0-1 NE10)
SAINT MICHAEL'S LEADERS
OPPONENT LEADERS
- First-year Hedda Haukland, 6 saves
GAME FACTS
- Brookes tied Meghann Kelly '00 for seventh in program history in career goals (25), passing Judy Cronin '06 (24) in the process. She also took over sole possession of ninth in points (56). Her 10th career game-winning goal also tied Sara Pope '04 for the most by a Purple Knight since complete records became available in 1996.
- Laizer picked up her 21st career win in her 27th start while registering her 14th shutout to break a tie with Katie Escobedo '23 for third.
- The Purple and Gold ran its regular-season unbeaten streak to 14 games (12-0-2).
- Saint Michael's is 4-1-1 in the series since 2021, including 2-0-1 at AIC for its longest series unbeaten streak on the Yellow Jackets' home field.
- The Purple Knights held a 28-2 lead in shots and a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
THE ACTION
- Brookes scored the winner with just 16:52 gone, catching up to Hanley's long through ball and slotting a shot just between the close post and a falling Haukland. McLoughlin set up the sequence with a short pass from the back line to the midfield.
- In the 32nd minute, Brookes crossed a corner kick into the box, hitting a defender and bouncing into the net.
NEXT SAINT MICHAEL'S GAME
- Wednesday vs. Assumption University, 5 p.m.
- The Purple Knights host a Hope Happens Here Mental Health Awareness Game that day.
