Fitchburg State Shuts Down Curry, 4-1

Kennedy and Philbrick net a pair in Falcons eighth straight victory of the season 

FITCHBURG, Mass. (September 27, 2011) – Senior Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, Mass./Bishop Stang) and freshman Kayla Philbrick (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee Comprehensive) both registered a pair of goals to lead the Fitchburg State women's soccer team to a 3-1 non-conference victory over Curry College.

With the victory, Fitchburg State extends its winning streak to eight games, boasting an 8-1 mark on the season and 2-0 record in the MASCAC.

In the first half, Curry took an early 1-0 lead, putting an end to sophomore Jillian Kirouac's (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) 234 minute shutout streak. Colonel sophomore Brittney McLaughlin (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) gave Curry the early edge, posting her fourth goal of the season with an unassisted tally in the 22nd minute.

Fitchburg State responded later in the half, putting the score at 1-1 heading into the break. The Falcons used a good hustle play in the 41st minute as freshman Devin Donnelly's (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) pass beat the Curry defense setting up Philbrick on a breakaway. The freshman forward went the distance to tie the score at 1-1, beating junior keeper Samantha Hardy (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) with the shot to the left side.

In the second half, Fitchburg State quickly gained a 2-1 advantage as Kennedy recorded her eighth goal of the season. The senior striker took the ball up the near sideline, beat a defender and chipped the ball inside the near post for the score. Kennedy struck again later in the period, giving the Falcons an insurance goal in the 75th minute, while Philbrick added her second marker of the contest late in the frame to cap the scoring.

The Falcons controlled the match up right from the get-go, totaling a 28-7 advantage in shots. Hardy stopped 15 shots for the Colonels despite falling victim to eight Fitchburg State corners. Kirouac was strong again for the Falcons, collecting a pair of saves in her complete game effort.

Fitchburg State (8-1, 2-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Nichols College at 4 p.m. Curry (1-8-0, 0-3-0 CCC) will visit Roger Williams University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.