Box Score

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Host Merrimack College scored on each of its first three shots of the contest and managed to keep a potent offense for The College of Saint Rose off the board on the way to a 3-0 Northeast-10 Conference victory over the Golden Knights today at Martone-Mejail Field. Both clubs came into today as the top-two squads in the conference and are ranked among the top-18 teams in the nation (Division II).

The Golden Knights, who entered the contest unbeaten in their last 48 regular-season league games (47-0-1), suffered their first loss in NE-10 action since a 5-0 setback to none other than the Warriors in North Andover, MA back on September 27, 2008. Merrimack also snapped a four-game skid against Saint Rose by holding the second-highest scoring offense in the country (Division II) scoreless for the first time all year.

As for today, the Warriors (12-2-0/10-2-0 NE-10) struck early and often to put themselves in the driver's seat. Sophomore forward Danielle Dion took things into her own hands by tipping home a cross from junior midfielder Jamie Alnwick with 20:08 elapsed. Dion struck again just 18 seconds later off a drive from the left side of the penalty box.

Merrimack, which is ranked #18 in this week's NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II Poll, continued applying pressure and broke through again at the 23:21 mark. Senior back Jessica Peacock nailed the far post off a feed from sophomore midfielder Jordan Schnopp to cap the onslaught.

The Golden Knights (12-1-1/9-1-1 NE-10) certainly had their chances throughout the afternoon. Saint Rose generated a sizeable 20-7 margin in shots, including an 11-6 edge in shots-on-target. The Golden Knights also held an 8-6 edge in corner kicks, but to no avail.

Senior keeper Kiley Horne provided an outstanding performance in goal for the Warriors. Horne finished one shy of her season-high with 10 saves to preserve her fifth shutout of the year. Meanwhile, sophomore keeper Jessica Gerski turned aside three shots for Saint Rose

Looking ahead, the Golden Knights look to get back on track Wednesday night when they head to Saint Michael's College for a 7:00 pm kickoff in Colchester, VT. Meanwhile, Merrimack steps away from its conference schedule Tuesday when the Warriors host Queens College in a 4:00 pm non-league contest.