Women's Soccer Defeats NEC Leader SFU

The Central Connecticut women's soccer team earned its second NEC win of the season over Northeast Conference leader Saint Francis U on Sunday afternoon by a score of 2-1. The Blue Devils are now 2-2 in conference play, handing the Red Flash (4-1 NEC) their first NEC loss.

Sophomore Claire Walsh scored in the 47th minute of play to put the Blue Devils on the board early in the second half. Following a saved CCSU penalty kick, taken by senior Jewel Robinson, the Blue Devils earned a corner kick. Walsh took a rebound off of junior Tori Sousa's corner for her first goal of the season.

Ten minutes later, freshman Morgan Santoro sent a shot from outside the box high into the net to notch CCSU's second and final goal. The goal is her second of the year.

Saint Francis U attempted to recover the deficit as senior Tesa McKibben scored past CCSU goalkeeper Nikola Deiter for the Red Flash's lone goal.

The Blue Devils kicked off the match by putting good pressure on the Red Flash defense, dominating the field and outshooting Saint Francis U 9-7 in the first period.

Central posted two shots on goal in the first half, one from Santoro, and another from sophomore Cailynn Harding. Harding's shot was a swift header off of a CCSU corner kick that was batted from the net by Red Flash keeper Abbey Collins.

Despite the first half close calls, the squads were tied at halftime.

In the second half, the Blue Devils posted 12 additional shots compared to just three for SFU. Central totaled 21 shots, nine on goal, compared to 10 for Saint Francis U, two on goal.

Deiter registered just one save on the day while Collins tallied seven for the Red Flash.

The Blue Devils will continue NEC action when they take on the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson on the road on Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.