KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 23, 2024) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer team posted its fourth-straight clean sheet, while also extending its unbeaten streak to four games with a 0-0 draw against William Paterson in non-conference action at a raucous, plebe-filled Bartoszek Field on Monday night. The Mariners moved to 3-1-2 on the season, while the Pioneers moved to 3-3-2.
 
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• Box Score

USMMA posted a 16-6 margin in total shots, including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal. Senior Margaret Ripperger (McKinney, Texas) and freshman Eva Fields (Williamsburg, Va.) combined on the shutout for the Mariners. Sarah Mantilla stopped seven shots to lead the Pioneers.
 
Following an off-target attempt by the Pioneers in the 7th minute, the USMMA offense went to work creating chances. Sophomore Jade Winters (Jackson, Ohio) had a shot saved in the 9th minute before freshman Sarah Welsch (Broomfield, Colo.) was stopped in the 13th minute. An attempt from junior Morgan Mitchell (Amory, Miss.) was then stopped in the 15th minute before another Welsch try was turned away in the 19th minute.
 
The Pioneers missed wide at the 20-minute mark before USMMA was denied by Mantilla two more times. After Welsch had a shot stopped in the 32nd minute, freshman Lucy Thomas (Alexandria, Va.) had an attempt saved in the 33rd minute.
 
Despite racking up a 6-0 advantage in shots on goal in the opening half, the Mariners had to settle for a scoreless game at the break.
 
The USMMA defense held the Pioneers without a shot on goal until the 60th minute. Fields stopped the shot attempt, which proved to be the only on-target chance of the game for the visitors.
 
The Mariners, meanwhile, missed the target on their first five attempts of the second half before junior Marina Ronzoni (Riverhead, N.Y.) had a shot saved in the 81st minute.
 
Each team had one more look in the closing minutes of action. After a header by junior Sammy Bumann (Castle Rock, Colo.) was blocked in the 89th minute, the Pioneers missed wide in the 90th minute and the game ended scoreless.
 
The Mariners return to Skyline action this Wednesday night, Sept. 25, with a 7 p.m. home game against Yeshiva at Bartoszek Field.
 
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