BOX SCORE OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – The University of New Haven women’s soccer team improved to 2-0 on the 2012 season with a 3-0 victory at the New York Institute of Technology on Monday afternoon. Ali Español, Lucy Francisco and Monica Yanez all scored for the Chargers, and Moriah Saidel made eight saves to preserve the shutout win.
 
The Chargers, who were also victorious at Dominican on Friday, start a season at 2-0 for the first time since beginning the 2009 campaign with four consecutive wins. NYIT falls to 0-2.
 
New Haven started the scoring in the 26th minute. The Bears defense appeared to have quelled a Charger threat, but the cleared ball found the foot of Español, who lofted a high-arcing shot from 30 yards out that soared over the outstretched arms of NYIT goalkeeper Brianna Bollettieri and into the back of the net. The goal, which stood up as the game-winner, was the second on the season for Español and the fifth of her career.
 
The Chargers soon extended their lead with a 29^th-minute marker by Francisco. The 2011 NEWISA Division II First Team All-New England performer took a ball delivered by Danielle Iacono and, after a short run, blasted it from 15 yards out to notch her 17th goal in a Charger uniform. Iacono’s assist was her first career point.
 
New Haven would put the contest away with an insurance goal by Yanez. Francisco won a 50/50 ball near midfield, heading it to Yanez. The junior dribbled past the lone Bears’ defender and the keeper before tapping in her second goal of the fall and seventh of her career. Francisco’s assist was her 10th as a Charger, running her career point total to 44.
 
Saidel made three saves in the first half and turned away five attempts after the intermission to complete her first career clean sheet between the posts. Bollettieri also made eight stops for NYIT.
 
The Chargers take the pitch at Kayo Field for the first time this season on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. against visiting Dowling. The Golden Lions also stand at 2-0-0 after posting 1-0 home wins over Northeast-10 foes Saint Michael’s and Merrimack to start their 2012 campaign. All of Thursday’s action will be broadcast live on NewHavenChargers.com.
 
Notes
 
Francisco’s goal moves her into the all-time top 10 in goals scored at New Haven with 17. She currently shares 10th place with Anna Maria Uyar ’98. Francisco is also just two points shy of joining the all-time top 10 in career points at UNH.