Hartford, Conn.- Sophomore forward Kate Salottolo (Bethel, Conn.) provided the game-winning strike in the 63rd minute to lead the Trinity College Bantams to a 2-1 win over the Wesleyan University Cardinals in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) women’s soccer action this afternoon.

Trinity improves to 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the NESCAC, while Wesleyan falls to 2-10-1 overall and 1-7 in the league. The Bantams can earn a bid to the NESCAC Championship Tournament with a win on Saturday against Middlebury in the regular season finale or a loss by Colby in its season finale Saturday against Bowdoin.

Trinity played impressively in the first half, taking the lead in the 24th minute. Salottolo outraced the Wesleyan sweeper on the left flank and played the ball into the top of the box, and classmate Courtney Doyle (West Simsbury, Conn.) kicked the ball past the reach of Wesleyan senior goalie Ella Naef (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) and into the net. Wesleyan sophomore Jenny Hipscher (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had tied the game in the 29th minute, before Trinity freshman midfielder Leah Felis (Stowe, Vt.) fed Salottolo for the game-winner.

Naef notched 19 saves in a heroic effort, while Bantam freshman Brenna Shields (Cutchogue, N.Y.) earned the victory with five stops.