FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team closed out its two-game homestand on Saturday night, falling in a tightly contested affair to Marist College at Park Ave Field, 2-1.
Looking for the first strike to close out the homestand, the Pioneers looked to get things going in the early part of the first half. However, the Red Foxes grabbed a majority of the handful of half-chances through the first five minutes of the match, forcing the SHU backline and starting keeper
Kyran Thievon to be on high alert. Fortunately, the Pios were able to continue forcing Marist to the outskirts before taking advantage of the next quarter hour of play.
Against the run of play, Marist negated the few SHU chances within the first 20 minutes, striking for the first goal of the nightcap in the 18
th minute with an Olivia Lindsay goal. Lindsay, who found a misplaced ball in the SHU area, was able to send one past an outstretched Thievon to put the visitors on the board.
Later in the first half, the Pios continued to threaten for an equalizing goal, but could not grab the elusive finishing touch to get the zero off the board. In the final 10 minutes of the half, Marist doubled its lead after a pass found a streaking Jillian Garcia who sent a shot past Thievon to put the lead at 2-0 in the 36
th minute. Marist continued to pressure the home side, forcing the Pios into five saves through the first half.
In relief of Thievon,
Lauren Calabro made her first appearance of the season to start the second half, giving the Pios a steady shout in between the sticks. The Pios continued to force the Red Foxes into tough situations through the final 45, putting Marist under loads of pressure. However, the Red Foxes buckled down defensively, negating the Pios to slim amounts of chances as the final whistle approached.
As the final whistle approached, the Red & White fought for every chance but could not grab the first goal to usher in a comeback as Marist continued to rain on the homecoming parade for SHU, riding out 2-0 victors.
Top Performers:
Of Note:
- Calabro made her first appearance in goal this season making two saves in relief in the second half.
- Lindsay Ford made her first appearance for the Pios this season, grabbing eight minutes of game action.
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action next week, taking on Connecticut rivals Yale on Wednesday, September 18 to conclude nonconference play before hitting the home stretch of MAAC competition, traveling to Manhattan on Saturday, September 21. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.
