Women's Soccer Drops Overtime Heartbreaker At Bryant, 1-0
Bryant scored at the 96:44 mark of the first overtime period to defeat the Blue Devils, 1-0, on Friday afternoon in Smithfield, RI.
The Central Connecticut women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 overtime heartbreaker to the Bryant Bulldogs on Friday afternoon at the Bulldog Soccer Field in Smithfield, RI. The loss drops the Blue Devils to 7-5-4 overall and 2-3-2 in Northeast Conference play. The loss also officially eliminates CCSU from contention for the NEC Postseason Tournament.
Bryant (5-10-2, 4-2-1 NEC) found the back of the net for the decisive goal at the 96:44 mark off the left foot of freshman Alex Ralph. Ralph collected a loose ball on the right wing and played a short touch pass to classmate Alison Guilmette. Guilmette played the ball right back to Ralph streaking into the 18 yard box and fired a curling shot with her left foot perfectly slotted into the top left corner of the net. The game-winner was the first career goal for Ralph.
The match was very evenly played throughout with both teams creating multiple opportunities, especially in the second half and overtime period. In the 63rd minute it had appeared the Blue Devils had broken through and cracked the scoreboard, but an offsides call on Central erased the potential game-winner.
Freshman Shelbie Carr sent in a corner kick at the 62:29 mark onto the head of classmate Danielle Pearse who deflected it to sophomore Alex Zampini who headed it past the Bryant goalkeeper and into the net. However, the assistant referee had raised the flag prior to Zampini's attempt, canceling out the goal.
The Bulldogs also almost ended the game in regular time with a great chance late in the second half at the 78:22 mark. Bryant's Shea Williams collected a failed clearance attempt by the Blue Devils at the top of the 18 yard box and ripped a shot headed for the top right corner of the goal, but CCSU's junior goalkeeper Nicki Turley made an incredible diving save, just getting a hand on the ball to deflect the shot wide of net.
Overall, the Blue Devils held a 20-13 advantage in total shots, including a slight 8-7 advantage in shots on goal in the match. Senior Charlie Branch led Central's offensive attack with five shots and Pearse chipped in with four, putting one on frame. The Bulldogs held a slight 9-7 advantage in corner kicks.
Turley was dealt the tough-luck loss making six saves in goal for the Blue Devils. She falls to 5-5-3 overall on the season. Bryant's Kaylan Conrad picked up the win in net for the Bulldogs. The junior made eight stops and improves her record to 3-6-2.
The CCSU women's soccer team will return to action with its final match of the season this Sunday against Wagner at home. The Blue Devils will celebrate Senior Day prior to the 11 a.m. match with the Seahawks. All of the action can be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.
