Women's Soccer Falls to FDU in NEC Tournament Semifinals

GAME INFORMATION 
Northeast Conference Semifinal 
Score: FDU 2, CCSU 1 
Records: CCSU (9-6-2, NEC 7-0-2), FDU (8-10-2, NEC 5-2-2) 
Location: CCSU Soccer Field | New Britain, CT  

COACH QUOTE 

"What a fantastic run of success this team has enjoyed. In time, I think we will look back and fully appreciate what this group of women have accomplished. We are all gutted with the result today. Overall, we created enough chances to win, and I thought our overall play was good, but we weren't clinical enough in the final third. Kudos to FDU. We've had some great battles over the years. Today was their day and we wish them well going forward."- Head Coach Mick D'Arcy 

KEY MOMENTS 

• The Blue Devils and the Knights hit the ground running in a fast-paced first half. CCSU was able to capitalize on their time with possession and outshot FDU 8-2.  

• CCSU opened the scoring less than four minutes into the second half after Kelly Brady took a shot that was deflected out of bounds by FDU goalkeeper Malene Nielsen. This resulted in a corner kick for the Blue Devils. Lindsay Stevenson took the kick, sending the ball into the box where Brady headed the ball toward Victoria Violette, who was able to find the back of the net. 

• The Knights were quick to retaliate with a goal in the 53rd minute. FDU's Lea Egner set up for a corner kick after CCSU sent the ball out of bounds. Egner curved the ball directly into the goal to find the side netting, tying the game 1-1. 

• FDU scored their second goal, which proved to be the game-winner, in the 64th minute of the game when the Knights were awarded a free kick. Paula Ruess took the kick, placing the ball inside the box where Madelyn Robbins headed the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal. 

• Central had a chance to even the score late in the second half when Roma McLaughlin gained control of the ball and evaded a defender, giving herself a shot opportunity. She launched the ball from deep outside of the box, just hitting the crossbar. 

• The Blue Devils were on the attack in the 77th minute when Aoife Horgan had a breakaway opportunity to score. She sent a shot directly toward the goal where it was tipped high by Nielsen, helping to secure the victory for FDU. 

NUMBER TO KNOW 
6 - CCSU outshot the Knights 17-11 in the match. 

NOTES 

• CCSU won their fifth straight NEC regular season title, prior to the start of the NEC Tournament. 

• Sophomore defender, Victoria Violette, scored her first collegiate goal in today's match. 

• This match concludes CCSU women's soccer's 2022 season.