CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A second-half goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 victory by MIT over the Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team.

Freshman Nikki Effenberger (Escondido, Calif.) scored the only goal of the game against Roger Williams on Tuesday after a cross from senior Leslie Meyer (Brownsburg, Ind.)

The Engineers record is now 5-2 for the season, while Roger Williams lowered their ledger to 2-3-1.

The first half of the game got off to a slow start, with the ball never staying in one team's control for long. MIT outshot the Hawks, 9-3, and four of them were saved by goalkeeper Stephanie Jacques (Burlington, Vt.). Senior Merricka Livingstone (Palm Beach, Fla.) had the best opportunity at a goal when she booted the ball directly into the net from inside the box, but Jacques was able to save it, leaving the score tied at 0 at the end of the period.

Less than 20 minutes into the second half, the Engineers had made five shots at the goal, with all but two of them being saved by Jacques. In the 72nd minute of play, shortly after senior keeper Meghan Wright (Devon, Pa.) had made two simultaneous saves, Effenberger lobbed the ball past the goalie after a pass from Meyer, recording her second goal of the season. Wright made two more saves before the second half ended, leaving MIT victorious with a 1-0 win.

“It wasn't the best day to play a game of soccer; it was windy and raining at times during the match,” said Head Coach Tim Moody. “However, both teams wanted to try and get it down and pass the ball. We did some good things early on and MIT didn't really cause us any problems. We had another great shot for a penalty this year. The ball clearly struck a MIT defender but there was no intent on her behalf, we were told. It was a very strategic game.

“In the second half the game opened up a bit more and both teams had chances to score. Unfortunately for us, we switched off and we were punished. Jaques had another solid game up to this point, and made a couple of good saves, but had no chance with the goal.

“We had to go after them to get back into the game and had them on the back foot. We tested the keeper a few times, but couldn't find the killer instinct we needed in front of the goal.

“We all worked extremely hard to limit their chances and I was very happy with that, from the front two strikers all the way to the backline and keeper. We need to focus better on creating and finishing. One shot, one goal should do it!

“This game will help us be ready for Friday night and has identified what we need to do as a team.”

The Cardinal and Gray will travel to Clark on Saturday, Sept. 22 at noon for their second NEWMAC game of the season, while the Hawks will hit the road for Nichols on the 21st.

- Release courtesy of the MIT Sports Information Department