CAMBRIDGE, MA – Lesley University (4-0-0) defeated Mass Maritime 2-0 Saturday afternoon in non-conference women's soccer play at Edward Field.

            Lynx midfielder Veronica Halen (San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic) sent home the game-winner at 60:04 from point blank range on a feed from Alexis Giusti (Meridian, CA/Yuba City). Halen added a second score in the closing minutes, giving Lesley its fourth straight 2-0 win to open 2012.

            The teams played to a scoreless tie through halftime, with Lesley outshooting the Buccaneers 12-0 through the first 44 minutes. Mass Maritime (0-2-0) earned one of the highest percentage shots of the half for its only shot, a blast from 25 yards that Kim Courcy (Warwick, RI/Warwick) put straight on Lynx keeper Victoria Ellis (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach) with 20 seconds remaining in the half.

            With leading scorers Halen and Giusti inserted at halftime, the Lynx California connection struck for the go-ahead goal 15 minutes into the frame. With Halen assisting on both of Giusti's goals entering the day, the duo turned the tables Saturday, with Giusti sending a cross from the left corner to Halen in front of the net. The reigning New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year beat Bucs keeper Katie Levesque (Wilmot, NH/Kearsage) to her left into the bottom center of the net.

            Halen added an insurance goal at 86:32, taking a one-time pass from Giusti from outside the right post and again besting Levesque from inside 10 yards, this time into the top left of the net in putting the contest out of reach.

            In spite of the Lynx two second half goals, Levesque was stellar in net, making 12 saves. Lesley's Jackie Berard (Coventry, RI/Moses Brown) earned her first college win, coming on in relief of Ellis at halftime.

            Lesley returns to action against the University of Maine-Farmington back at Edward Field on Sunday at 1:00.