Saints Unleash Unstoppable Offensive in 12-0 Rout of Dean College

Lexi Gerow warms up for the game against Emmanuel College. Photo Courtesy: Jay Ruzicka

Leaden with skill and firing on all cylinders, the Emmanuel College women's soccer team delivered a stunning and relentless performance on Saturday, dismantling Dean College with an overwhelming 12-0 victory at Longley Field, a game that quickly transformed into an exhibition of pure offensive firepower for the visiting Saints. The Saints wasted no time establishing their absolute control over the game, registering a flurry of shots and dictating play from the opening whistle. The offense was an immediate, persistent threat, overwhelming the Bulldogs' defense and goalkeeper with wave after wave of attacks.

By halftime, the scoreboard already told a dire story for Dean, as Emmanuel had netted four goals to take a commanding lead. The home team's defense, while under immense pressure, struggled to get possession out of their half, registering zero shots throughout the entire 90 minutes. Any hope for a Dean College resurgence in the second half was quickly extinguished. The Saints doubled down on their offensive strategy, pouring in an additional eight goals to complete the dozen-goal tally. The relentless pressure saw the Emmanuel offense register a staggering 50 shots for the game, with 29 of those on target. The Dean College goalkeeper, despite the lopsided score, was a busy hero, recording 17 saves to prevent the score line from escalating even further.

Following the match, Dean College player Lydia Fernandes reflected on the game plan and the outcome: "Yeah, we were definitely going to park the bus today a little bit. Our team was very aware of how they played, what their style was like, and their nice little kick and run and amazing crosses. All together, they were definitely like a better school."

Fernandes also expressed appreciation for the opponent's talent while voicing frustration over the manner of the victory stating: "I appreciate their talent, but it also does suck when coaches can be jerks and start putting people in and start putting and scoring up the scoreboard with our same exact loss with Rivier not that long ago, which it just, it's kind of a little bit hurtful, especially since they're in the same exact week." Ultimately, Fernandes maintained a personal positive outlook: "But you know, positive, I get to play. So, I really don't care about anything else but playing and being back to the sport that I love."

Fellow Dean player Miro McIntyre Clere acknowledged the difficult loss while focusing on the team’s next match—Senior Day: "Yeah, it was a tough loss today, but I definitely think that we’re going to bounce back. We’ve been waiting for Senior Day, and we’re excited. I know us seniors are going to play our heart out on Tuesday, so yeah, now we just reset for Tuesday." When discussing the strategy for the upcoming game, McIntyre Clere noted the team’s intent to focus on ball movement: “While we didn’t really move the ball today, you’ll see us playing the ball. We'll definitely be playing the ball Tuesday, yeah."

Miro McIntyre Clere with possession. Photo Courtesy: Jay Ruzicka

The victory was a collective effort, though several Saints players had standout performances. Sarah Dullaghan led the charge, securing an impressive four goals on the day, with Paige Letourneau following closely behind with a hat-trick of three goals, also adding an assist to their total. Additionally, Loliana Morales provided two assists, and Abby Chambers tallied one assist, showcasing the team's strong passing and collaborative play in the final third.

With the resounding victory, the Saints improved their record, showcasing their ability to execute a dominant game plan, particularly in conference play. The Dean College Bulldogs face a tough task ahead, but the spirit of the team remains unbroken. Despite the lopsided loss, the performance of the Dean goalkeeper, who recorded an astonishing 17 saves, highlights the dedication and resilience present in the squad. This monumental effort serves as a rallying point for a team that is not giving up.

The Bulldogs' next opportunity comes on their upcoming Senior Day, a powerful occasion where the focus will shift entirely to celebrating the commitment of the team's graduating players. As Miro McIntyre Clere stated, the seniors are preparing to "play our heart out," indicating the passion that will fuel their next game. The players are already looking to "reset" and channel their energy into a new strategy, committed to playing the game they love with the people they love. Dean College's true measure will be seen not in this single result, but in the heart and determination they show in bouncing back for their seniors and the remainder of their season