DANBURY, CT (Sept. 24)  –  Senior Ariana D'Aurio (Cheshire, CT) scored a goal midway through the first half of play to help the Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over the visitors from Clark University Tuesday evening at the Westside Athletic Complex. 

Western scored the only goal of the first half about midway through the period when D'Aurio pounced on the rebound of a shot taken by junior Sarah Menta (Newington, CT) and drilled the ball low to the left corner of the goal, just past the Clark keeper.  At the half, Western held a 1-0 lead. 

Western missed a chance to extend its lead in the fourth minute of the second half.  Freshman Celia DeVoe (Farmington, CT) took a shot that rebounded high off the Clark keeper, but Menta's header attempt of the rebound sailed over the crossbar and the score remained 1-0. 

At the 73:59 mark, freshman Meaghan Gustafson (Newington, CT) gave Western a little breathing room after a flurry of action in front of the Clark goal.  Sophomore Emily Newhard (Wallingford, CT) took a crossing pass and delivered a shot that rebounded off the Clark keeper.  After a scramble for the ball in front of the goal, sophomore Rebecca Rivera (Monroe, CT) slipped a quick pass to Gustafson, who promptly delivered the ball into the back of the net for a 2-0 Western lead. 

Two minutes later, Menta ran around the right side of the Clark defense and curled a shot over the keeper for an insurance goal that gave Western a 3-0 final margin of victory. 

For the game, Western held a 19-14 advantage in shots, while Clark had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.  Western's freshman keeper Alison Rettenmeier (Sherman, CT) made six saves to earn the win, while sophomore Gabby Paolini (North Potomac, MD) finished with eight saves in a losing effort for Clark. 

With the win, Western now stands at 7-2 on the season, while Clark falls to 2-6.  The Colonials return to action on Saturday, September 28, when they travel to play Little East Conference rival Rhode Island College.  Game time is scheduled for 1:00pm.