New Haven, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College women's soccer team topped visiting Nichols, 3-1, on Monday afternoon in non-conference action from Celentano Field. With their second straight victory, the Falcons improve to 4-4-2 on the year, while the Bison moved to 2-7-1 with the setback.
The hosts held a commanding 28-5 advantage in shots, while controlling both the tempo and possession throughout the contest.
Albertus threatened early as senior forward Acacia Nelson (Bridgeport, Conn.) had a pair of scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes of action. In the seventh minute, junior midfielder Danielle Polvan (East Haven, Conn.) played a perfect through ball that sent Nelson in on breakaway. With just Nichols freshman goalkeeper Brook Downey in front of her, Nelson chipped the ball just over the crossbar. Twelve minutes later, Nelson beat a Bison defender just inside the right side of the box and fired a shot that Downey snagged out of the air on the near post.
The Falcons finally broke through in the 32nd minute courtesy of a tally from junior midfielder Taylor Rotella (Milford, Conn.) off a free kick. Rotella netted her second marker of the season by heading in a cross at the far post from junior midfielder Kaitlyn Fedumenti (Stratford, Conn.). The tally broke a scoreless tie and was set by by Albertus senior Kelly Kennedy (North Branford, Conn.) who drew a foul 10 yards outside the box.
Neither team would break through over the final 13 minutes of the opening half as the hosts entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Nelson gave the Falcons a two-goal edge with her second tally of the fall early in the second half. Polvan again sent Nelson in uncontested on Downey with a through ball and this time Nelson ripped a shot into the upper 90 for the eventual game-winner.
In the 68th minute, Albertus Magnus had a flurry scoring chances and Downey stood her ground each time to keep the visitors within striking distance. During that stretch, she made three separate diving saves, highlighted by one on a blast by Polvan from just inside the box.
With less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, sophomore midfielder Amanda Montano (North Haven, Conn.) gave Albertus Magnus a three-goal edge. Montano beat the Nichols player marking her inside the box and fired a shot into the upper 90 for her third marker of the year.
Nichols would respond two minutes after Montano's strike as Meghan Dunn played a perfect cross into the box that found Danielle Barry. Barry finished the cross with her foot at the far post for her first goal of the season to make it a two-goal game.
Down the stretch, the Falcons backline held their ground and preserved the 3-1 win.
In net, senior Maria Case (West Haven, Conn.) made two saves to earn her fourth win of the season for the Falcons. On the opposite end, Downey turned aside a career-best 11 shots in a losing effort for the Bison.
The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, September 30 with a home Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) clash versus in-state rival St. Joseph. The last meeting between the two squads was a double-overtime thriller in the GNAC Quarterfinals last autumn.
