MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers opened the 2016 women's soccer season with a 2-0 win over the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears at Buccaneer Field on Friday night.
Sophomore Molly Sharpe led the Bucs with a goal and an assist, while Paula Forero, Shannell McDonnell and the rest of the defense kept a clean sheet.
In the 23rd minute, Sharpe took a pass from Carissa Sanchez on the right wing and beat Bears' keeper Andrea Leano to the far post.
Sharpe found Christy Grimshaw open at 23 yards out in the 49th minute and Grimshaw lofted a shot over Leano's head for the second goal.
The Bears came up empty on the scoreboard by the narrowest of margins. In the 30th minute, with the Bucs up 1-0, Jessica Feronti lined up a free kick from 36 yards that Forero barely got a mitt on and pushed it into the cross bar. The Bucs were able to clear and hold on to the 1-0 lead through intermission.
In the second half, with the score 2-0, Hannah Van Eerden got on the end of a Feronti corner and flicked a shot past Forero. But McDonnell, at the far post, swept the ball off the line to preserve the shutout.
Barry's Sarah Wignall nearly netted her first collegiate goal in the 74th minute. She a clear shot from the left side that got over the head of Leano, but banged off the crossbar.
Forero picked up the win with three saves and the shutout with the help of McDonnell. Leano took the loss, making two saves. Both teams managed nine shots and four on goal.
The Bucs have a big weekend Sept. 9 and 11 as they host Flagler on Friday and second-ranked Columbus State on Sunday.
