BABSON PARK, Mass. — Sophomore Caroline Sutherland (Millville, Mass.) scored her first career goal in the 71st minute and the defense limited the visitors to just six shots as Babson College defeated Salve Regina University, 1-0, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's soccer action Saturday afternoon at Hartwell-Rogers Field.

With the victory, the Beavers improved to 6-5-5 overall and 4-2-3 in the NEWMAC while the Seahawks fell to 2-12-3 overall and 1-5-3 in conference play.

Junior Meredith Greeley (Ottawa Hills, Ohio) registered an assist and senior Nora Ryan (Abington, Mass.) made three saves to record her seventh clean sheet of the season. She was bolstered by the play along the back line by senior Laura Lukowicz (Coventry, R.I.), Sutherland, and fellow sophomores Claudia Baiter (Miami), Jadyn Mapura (East Hanover, N.J.) and Priscilla-Rose Men-Martin (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.).

Junior Reagan Moffatt (Denville, N.J.) had a busy day in the Salve goal and finished with 10 saves, second-most in a game this season.

Babson controlled play through most of the first half and had an 11-2 advantage in shots but the game remained scoreless. Senior Elisa Diletizia (Canton, Mass.) and first-year Mack Feeney (North Attleboro, Mass.) both had good scoring chances denied by Moffatt in the early going, and junior Jessica Galante (Dover, N.H.) had a good opportunity with 11 remaining in the half but her free kick from 25 yards out went off the crossbar.

The Seahawks had a good scoring opportunity early in the second half but a shot from the left side about 10 yards out by junior Marissa Perachi (Washington Depot, Conn.) rang off the crossbar. The Green and White had a chance just a minute later when first-year Josie Lee (Duxbury, Mass.) created room for a shot in the box but Moffatt made the stop.

The Beavers finally broke through after a corner kick with 20 minutes remaining in the second half. After Greeley took the corner from the right side, the ball came out of a crowd in front of the goal back to Greeley, who was rushing in from the corner. Greeley sent a cross toward the goal mouth and Sutherland knocked a header past Moffatt into the back of the net.

Babson nearly got an insurance goal with three minutes remaining following an outstanding individual effort by Lee, who dribbled past two defenders on the right side and ripped a shot to the far left corner but the ball hit the inside of the post but stayed out of the goal.

The Beavers finished with a 22-6 advantage in total shots, including 11-3 in shots on goal. Babson had a 5-2 margin in corner kicks.

The Green and White will play their final regular season home game against Springfield on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Salve Regina returns home to host Coast Guard on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

GAME NOTES
• Babson is 9-0 all-time against Salve Regina in a series that dates back to 2001.
• The Green and White posted their fifth clean sheet in their last six games and eighth shutout of the season.
• With the win, the Beavers jumped up to fourth place in the NEWMAC with 15 points with two games remaining.
• Prior to the game, Babson recognized its nine seniors – Nora Ryan (Abington, Mass.), Kira Cafferty (Newtown, Pa.), Julia Milke (Morganville, N.J.), Camryn Ward (Southbury, Conn.), Jordyn Ferrantino (Millis, Mass.), Elisa Diletezia (Canton, Mass.), Emma Mumby (Westborough, Mass.), Laura Lukowicz (Coventry, R.I.), and Carolina Silva (Miami, Fla.).