NEWTON, Mass. — Despite a late flurry of attacks, the Sacred Heart University women's soccer team could not find the equalizing goal, falling on the road to Boston College 3-2 on Sunday afternoon. 
 
After an hour delay due to inclement weather, both teams sought to gain an advantage in the early stages of the match. However, the hosts would get on the board first as Aislin Streicek opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes as Boston College jumped to a 1-0 lead on the second shot of the match.  

The Pioneers would even the match just seven minutes later as sophomore Morgan Bovardi scored her first goal of the season on SHU's first attempt on frame. 
 
With a plethora of chances on either side, the hosts once again retook the lead just after the half-hour mark as Streicek earned her second goal of the game, but not without controversy.  Streicek's shot appeared to be cleared by the SHU defense after deflecting off of the hand of Kipperman and off the near post, but the referee deemed the ball to have crossed the goal line, giving the hosts back the lead. The Eagles clung on to the lead heading into the break while holding a 9-4 shot advantage over the Pios. 
 
Sacred Heart came out of the break looking to claw back into the match, quickly closing the shot total gap on the Eagles as the game approached the hour mark. After a few chances for both sides, the hosts doubled their lead after connecting off a set play on a free kick just inside the SHU half.

The Pios continued to battle and found their way back in the match with under three minutes to play as Bovardi found the back of the net again to put the Red & White within one goal. However, BC would stave off the Pios last chances as the Eagles held on to the 3-2 victory. 

Top Performers:

• Morgan Bovardi (SHU): 2 goals, 4 shots
• Lindsay McShea (SHU): 1 goal, 1 shot
• Grace O'Hara (SHU): 1 assist

 
Of Note: 

• Graduate student Elyssa Kipperman made her first start for the Pioneers this season. 
• Bovardi's 13^th minute strike is her first goal of the season and her first sincer scoring the game-tying goal in last season's NEC Championship match. 
• McShea's assist on Bovardi's first goal is her first collegiate assist and point. 
• Bovardi's goal at 87:38 is the second-latest goal scored by the Pioneers in a match this season behind Grace O'Hara's strike against Maine at 87:41. 
• Bovardi's two goals marks the first time she has recorded a multi-goal performance as a Pioneer and the first multi-goal performance by a Pioneer since Desiree Crawford's brace against St. Francis (PA) on October 16, 2022.  
• Grace O'Hara's assist on Bovardi's goal is her first assist of the season and makes her the third Pioneer to record an assist this season. The assist adds to her team-leading seven points this season. 

 
Scoring Summary:
6' – Aislin Streicek received a pass from Ava McNeil and made her way towards goal, firing a low, left-footed shot that beat Kipperman to the left post to open the scoring. Boston College 1, Sacred Heart 0
 
13' – Sacred Heart leveled the scoring with a shot by sophomore Morgan Bovardi that came from inside the penalty area and beat BC's Willebrandt high and into the center of the goal. Sacred Heart 1, Boston College 1
 
32' – BC would regain the lead as Streicek earned another tally with a shot that deflected off of Kipperman's hands and the post, crossing the goal line before SHU could clear. Boston College 2, Sacred Heart 1
 
74' – After a SHU foul at the halfway line, BC delivered the ensuing free kick into Kipperman's penalty area and with an instant setup pass by Streicek, BC's Sophia Lowenberg slotted the ball into the back of the net to double the hosts lead. Boston College 3, Sacred Heart 1
 
88' – SHU's Morgan Bovardi found space just outside the six-yard box after receiving a pass from SHU's O'Hara, depositing the ball inside the near post and into the back of the net. Boston College 3, Sacred Heart 2
 
Up Next: 
The Pioneers return to action this week, finishing up non-conference play with SHU's Pediatric Cancer match against crosstown rivals Fairfield University on Wednesday, September 13, before hitting the road to take on Delaware State on Sunday, September 17. Kickoff for the Pios match against the Stags is slated for 7 p.m. while Sunday's match against the Hornets is scheduled for noon.