Late Goal Lifts Belles Over Hornets

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Mollie Valencia scored the only goal of the day with just 2:30 remaining in regulation to give the Saint Mary's soccer team a 1-0 victory at Kalamazoo on Saturday.

The Saint Mary's defense continued to show their strength while the Belles controlled the ball for big portions of time, especially in the first half of play. The Hornets were not credited with a shot in the contest until the 30th minute of play while Saint Mary's had a handful of looks at goal early.

Just thirty seconds into the second half, Kelly Wilson had a strong scoring opportunity for the Belles turned away. In the 66th minute, Maddie Meckes saw her attempt at breaking the deadlock go off the crossbar. Applying late pressure, the Belles earned a corner kick just before Valencia delivered the final blow with a goal in the final three minutes of regulation. The goal by the junior was the last real action of the contest as the Belles picked up their first win over Kalamazoo since the 2007 season.

The game-winning goal for Valencia is her second of the season and second of the week as she had the game-winner against Albion on Tuesday.

Chanler Rosenbaum picked up her fifth win in goal and third shutout on the year while stopping all four shots on goal she faced. For the Saint Mary's defense, the 1-0 win is the fifth shutout of the 2012 season.

The Belles (6-2-1, 4-2 MIAA) will take on Rochester College (Mich.) tomorrow at noon for a non-league contest against the Warriors.