Last Second Goal Lifts Albertus Magnus Over Women's Soccer

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's soccer team fell to visiting Albertus Magnus College, 2-1, in their 2017 season opener at Leary Field Friday evening. The Blazers sit at 0-1 on the season, while the Falcons rise to 1-0.              

With less than 10 seconds to play, Falcons freshman Sophia Austin (East Hartford, Conn.) headed home a corner kick service from senior Angelina Piccirillo (Naugatuck, Conn.) to give Albertus Magnus the 2-1 edge before the final buzzer.

The Blazers kicked off the contest with a run to the net on their opening position, but a shot from junior Jordan Bates (Springfield, Mass.) was stopped by Falcons junior Lexie Fenn (Oakville, Conn.). The Falcons responded on the following possession as senior Alexya Alves (Naugatuck, Conn.) raced up the right sideline and placed a cross to the front of the net, where Austin knocked a finish into the far left side of the net to give Albertus a 1-0 lead.

In the waning minutes of the first half, the Blazers found the equalizer as junior Shannon Denault (Chicopee, Mass.) gathered a high bounding ball in the box and fired a shot into the open net, knotting the score at 1-1 with 2:16 left in the opening stanza.

The Blazers had opportunities to secure the lead in the second half, dominating the Falcons 11-1 in the shot column during the period, but Fenn posted four saves to help keep Elms off the scoreboard.

The Blazers controlled the shot column in the contest, 21-5. Elms sophomore keeper Rebecca Molin (West Hartford, Conn.) made two saves, while Fenn stopped eight shots for the Falcons.

Elms will return to the pitch with a non-conference road trip to Southern Maine Sunday for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff. Albertus Magnus hosts Mount Holyoke Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

ELMS SOCCER