FITCHBURG — Just five games into her collegiate soccer career, Lizzy Read is causing the Fitchburg State faithful to rise to their feet anytime the ball is at hers.
And with good reason.
In her debut season with the Falcons, the Lowell native and former Chelmsford High Offensive Player of the Year has three goals and a pair of assists, averaging a point per game. Of her markers, two have stood as game-winners.
“She has a nose for getting to the net,” first-year FSU coach Jeb Booth said following Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss to Elms College. “Not only that, but she can bend the ball around defenders who are standing right next to her and be a threat to make a cross.”
Look no further than her performance against Elms College on Wednesday for proof of her dynamic offensive abilities. Despite being kept off the scoresheet, Read was a threat nearly every time the ball found its way to her in the second half.
Bottled up and frustrated by the Blazers’ physical play in the first 45 minutes, Read used her speed to evade defenders before deftly sending the ball toward the net several times after halftime, including once from a sharp angle that nearly squeezed inside the near post.
“We work hard every game,” Read said following Wednesday’s game, in which she was credited with three shots, two of which were on goal. “I worked hard over the summer and we’ve really come together.”
Read notched her first point at Fitchburg State on a goal in her first collegiate game, potting the game-winner at Dean College on Aug. 30. She also struck for the deciding goal in a double-overtime victory over Suffolk University on Sept. 7.
In the first two weeks of the season, Read — who is majoring in elementary education — has been twice named MASCAC Rookie of the Week, as well as Conference Player of the Week for the opening week of the campaign. In two contests to open her FSU career, Read posted two goals and two assists.
It’s an impressive resume in a short span of time.
“It’s been awesome. The team has been supportive and I couldn’t have any of this success without them,” Read said. “We work together. It’s been really good.
“We’ll keep getting better from here.”
For anyone facing Fitchburg State down the road, that’s a scary prospect.
Follow Nick Mallard on Twitter @n_mallard.
