Parrotte's Rebound Rip Gives Owls 1-0 Win Over Smith

WESTFIELD Mass – A late goal by Westfield State's Bella Parrotte (E. Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia HS) rallied the Owls to a 1-0 women's soccer victory over Smith College in a non-conference game at Alumni Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Parrotte's goal came in the 83rd minute, off the rebound of a looping shot from the sideline by Tori Dodge (N. Canaan, Conn./Housatonic Valley). Dodge's initial shot was punched out by Smith goalkeeper Noemi Howland, to the top of the 18-yard box where Parrotte sat waiting. A left footed boot to the top left of the net sealed the victory. 

The first half of the game was scoreless although both teams had several opportunities to score. The Pioneers outshot the Owls 8-7 in the first half, with Smith shot leaders Melia Espinosa (3) and Raven Tebbetts (2) making tough work for the Owls' goalkeeper Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass./Comp) as she made 5 saves in the first half. 

The Owls held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks with five of them coming in the first half.  Despite the big edge in corner kicks, the Owls held much narrower margins in total shots (18-14) and shots on goal, 11-9.

Robak finished with eight saves to record her second shutout of the season and the sixth of her career. Parrotte's goal marks her first of the season. 

Westfield State is now 5-4 overall, while Smith is 2-3-2 on the season.

Smith College's next game is Saturday Sept. 30 vs. Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Westfield State's next game is Saturday, September 30, hosting MCLA in MASCAC conference game.