HENNIKER, N.H. - The Albertus Magnus women's soccer team fell to the Pilgrims of New England College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest this afternoon.

Sophia Vescera (Prospect, Conn.) led the way on the Falcons' attack, scoring two goals. Erina Ismaili (Middlebury, Conn.) also scored one goal and had an assist.

THE BASICS
FINAL: New England College 4 | Albertus Magnus 3
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (6-5-5, 5-4-4 GNAC) | New England College (4-11-1, 4-10-0 GNAC)
BOXSCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED
New England College got on the board first in the 26th minute as Ashleigh Carolus received a through ball, drove inside the penalty box and sent in a cross to Shelby McBain to score.

Albertus fired off nine shots in the first half while the Pilgrims had eight, finishing the first half with a 1-0 scoreline in favor of NEC.

The Pilgrims took a two goal advantage in the 58th minute as McBain found the back of the net again, shooting from just outside of the penalty box off a ball headed forward by Brianna Deslandes. 

NEC found another chance to score in the 67th minute as a foul was called in the Falcons' penalty box, triggering a penalty kick. Caitie Wheeler stepped up to the spot to put one past Amy Stevens (Lincoln, R.I.) to go up 3-0.

Ismaili spurred the Falcons' comeback in the 75th minute. A handball was called in the Pilgrims' penalty box following a corner kick. Ismaili confidently stepped up for the penalty kick and shot one to the left to score, 3-1.

Just one minute later in the 76th minute, Vesera found her stride and collected a cross sent in by Tyana Jack (Bridgeport, Conn.) to score, 3-2.

The Pilgrims retaliated one minute later as Reese Hultgren got on the end of a corner kick sent in by McBain for a 4-2 edge on the Falcons. 

 Vescera struck again in the 85th minute to bring the Falcons within one. In the urgent last five minutes of play, Vescera threw in a ball to Ismaili and received a quick pass back. She drove into the box and rocketed a shot that grazed the crossbar into the back of the net. 

The Falcons sent in two more shots before the final whistle, but were unable to convert on those chances and fell one goal short of the Pilgrims.

BETWEEN THE PIPES
Albertus: Amy Stevens (L, 5-5-5)- 9 Shots on Goal | 3 Goals-Against | 6 Saves
Emma Devico- 2 Shots on Goal | 1 Goals-Against | 1 Saves
NEC: Hollie Bomba (W,1-5)- 13 Shots on Goal | 3 Goals-Against | 10 Saves

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• SHOTS: Albertus 19 | NEC 17

• CORNER KICKS: Albertus Magnus 4 | NEC 1

• FOULS: NEC 8| Albertus Magnus 5

NOTEWORTHY

• Ismaili is tied for fourth in the conference with 11 goals on the season. 

UP NEXT
The Falcons wrap up their regular season on Tuesday, October 24 as they travel to face the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales in GNAC play. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.