Boston, Mass. – The Albertus Magnus College women's soccer team dropped a road GNAC match at Simmons, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Winsor Field. With the loss, the Falcons move to 1-3-2 overall and 1-1-0 in league play, while the Sharks improved to 3-4-0 on the year and 2-0-0 in conference clashes.
Trailing 2-0 late in regulation, Albertus Magnus pulled to within one as sophomore midfielder Victoria Lavery (West Haven, Conn.) netted her third goal of the season. With less than 90 second left in the game, Lavery made a nice move and fired a hard shot from just inside the box that beat Simmons goalkeeper Briana Hayes. The tally gave Lavery a team-high seven points (3g,1a) as the 5-5 playmaker has found the back of the net for the Falcons in both league games this autumn.
Following Lavery's strike, the visitors were unable to get the ball and make a final push down the pitch as the hosts escaped with their second straight league triumph.
After a scoreless first half that saw each squad have their chances, Simmons got on the board in the 60th minute courtesy of a strike from Ali Berkman. Off a corner, Berkman collected the ball and buried a shot past Albertus senior goalkeeper Maria Case (West Haven, Conn.) just inside the left post.
Immediately following the marker, Albertus had a rush downfield and senior forward Acacia Nelson (Bridgeport, Conn.) fired a shot on goal that was turned aside by Hayes.
Four minutes later, the Sharks threatened again as Berkman took that shot hit the crossbar and the rebound was stopped by Case to keep it a one-goal game.
In the 86th minute, Albertus was whistled for foul 30 yards outside of the box and the hosts would make them pay. On the free kick, Berkman perfectly placed her shot and beat Case to give Simmons a 2-0 edge. The tally was her second of the contest and of the season.
In goal, Case made a season-high 10 saves in a losing effort for Albertus Magnus. On the opposite end, Hayes stopped six shots to earn her third triumph of the season.
Simmons held a 23-11 advantage in shots and took six corners compared to three for the Falcons. The two squads were whistled for 23 fouls.
Albertus returns to action on Tuesday, September 22 with a non-conference road tilt versus in-state rival Mitchell.
