WOMEN’S SOCCER COMES UP SHORT IN SEASON OPENER
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - The Emmanuel College Women’s Soccer Team was nipped by Western Connecticut State University, 3-2, in the season opener for both teams. Playing on a neutral field in the first round of Farmingdale State University’s Rams Classic, the Saints battled WCSU to a 2-2 tie with seventeen minutes remaining, but could not hold off a charge by the Colonials.
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - The Emmanuel College Women's Soccer Team was nipped by Western Connecticut State University, 3-2, in the season opener for both teams. Playing on a neutral field in the first round of Farmingdale State University's Rams Classic, the Saints battled WCSU to a 2-2 tie with seventeen minutes remaining, but could not hold off a charge by the Colonials.
The Colonials, who were selected to finish third in the Little East Conference preseason poll, struck first in the contest, but not until very late in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Emily Neward (Wallingford, Conn.) netted a header off a corner kick by Celia Devoe (Farmington, Conn.) at 41:30 to put Western Conn. up, 1-0. The Saints, however, would not go into the break trailing. Rookie midfielder Courtney Freadman (Richmond, Mass.) scored off an assist from Kelsie Dumas (Dalton, Mass.) just 70 seconds later to knot the game at 1-all heading into halftime.
Scoreless play kicked off the first 18 minutes of the second stanza. Colonials' junior midfielder Sarah Menta (Newington, Conn.) would break the tie at 63:28 with an assist coming from Neward, who would finish with three points on the night.
Senior forward Darcey Sullivan (Dalton, Mass.) tied things up again for the Saints, when she scored unassisted at 73:05, bringing the spread to 2-2. Sullivan's goal moves her into the 11th position among Emmanuel's all-time scoring leaders.
It was just 78 seconds later that Meghan Gustafson (Newington, Conn.) would find the back of the net for Western Conn, netting what would hold up as the game-winner at 74:23. Gustafson's first collegiate goal was assisted by Devoe, who dished out two helpers on the night.
Emmanuel's sophomore goal keeper Brenna Smith (Wantagh, N.Y.) would make 3 saves, before being relieved at 74:24 by classmate Jenna Marcello (Hopedale, Mass.). Marcello played just nine minutes in net, before making a save and suffering a head injury during a scramble in front of the net. Smith re-entered the contest to play the closing six minutes in goal for the Saints.
Freshman goalie Alison Rettenmeier (Sherman, Conn.) allowed both goals for the Colonials and made three saves in the winning effort.
The evenly matched contest featured WCSU narrowly out-shooting the Saints, 13-12, and holding a 6-4 edge in corner kick opportunities.
The Saints will now face Buffalo State tomorrow, August 31st, at noon. The Colonials will take on SUNY Geneseo in the tournament's 2:00 PM game.