Newton, Mass. – The No. 3 seed Albertus Magnus College women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to top-seeded Lasell in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament Championship on Saturday afternoon at Taylor Field.
Playing in their first conference championship game, the third-seeded Falcons (11-8-1) battled the Lasers (18-2-1) to the final whistle. Albertus Magnus sees its four-game winning streak come to an end with the one-goal setback, while Lasell won its program-record 18th straight contest.
With the score knotted at one late in the second half, Laser senior forward Megan Cullen raced past the Falcon defender marking her and netted her team-leading 21st goal of the fall. The tally came in the 88th minute and was Cullen's team-high seventh game-winner of the season.
"We battled every minute of today's match, fought for every inch on the field and we came up just short," Albertus Magnus women's soccer Head Coach Nick Wajnowski said. "I am extremely proud of this group and want to thank them for taking us on this ride. Thank you to our seven seniors."
Sopohmore goalkeeper Lexie Fenn (Oakville, Conn.) continued her strong play in the league tournament for Albertus Magnus, turning aside a career-high 12 shots in a losing effort. Fenn and the Falcon backline played well and kept the potent Laser attack at bay for a majority of the afternoon.
Albertus Magnus opened the scoring late in the opening half as junior Alexya Alves (Naugatuck, Conn.) netted her sixth marker of the season. Classmate Angelina Piccirillo (Naugatuck, Conn.) started the play with a through ball that led Alves in on breakaway. With just Lasell junior goalkeeper Sarah LaClair in front of her, Alves gave the guests the one-goal advantage in the 38th minute. The helper was Picirillo's second of the season as both have come against GNAC opponents.
The first-half tally by Alves snapped an over 400-minute scoreless streak for Albertus Magnus against Lasell. During the final 10 minutes of the first stanza, the hosts were unable to convert a corner-kick opportunity as the Falcons took the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Early on in the second half, the hosts threatened to knot the game at one as Albertus Magnus committed a foul just outside the top of the box. On the ensuing free kick, Laser sopohmore midfielder Erika Badger fired a shot that sailed well over the crossbar.
Midway through the second frame, Lasell threatened once again with a flurry of shots. Fenn stood her ground for the Falcons and stopped three shots in three-minute span to keep Albertus Magnus clinging to its one-goal edge.
The hosts would tie the game at one in the 72nd minute off a scramble inside the Falcon box. Albertus Magnus had some miscommunication on the back end and the Lasers took advantage of the failed clear attempt. Sophomore midfielder Sabrina Morais collected a cross in the penalty area by Caitlin Rotonnelli and buried her fourth goal of the season.
Albertus Magnus had a couple chances to take the lead late in the contest off a pair of free kicks by Piccirillo. On the first, she sent the ball into the box from midfield and sophomore Kerrigan Loughman (Trumbull, Conn.) collected a loose ball and fired a shot just high. A minute later, Piccirillo sent a free kick into the box from 40-yards out that bounced and landed in the arms of LaClair.
With less than two minutes remaining, Cullen delivered the game-winning strike to send the Lasers to their seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance. In goal for the hosts, LaClair made three saves to post her eighth shutout of the autumn.
The contest marked the first time this year, the Falcons have scored a goal and not won the game. Albertus Magnus has now dropped the last eight meetings with the Lasers.
Alves and senior midfielder Liz Nagy (Meriden, Conn.) each took two shots apiece for the Falcons.
Lasell held a 23-7 advantage in shots and took five corners compared to just one for the visitors.
Following the conclusion of the game, Alves along with seniors Danielle Polvan (East Haven, Conn.) and Taylor Rotella (Milford, Conn.) were named to the GNAC All-Tournament Team.
For the latest information on the women's soccer team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
