New Haven, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College women's soccer team fell to visiting Johnson & Wales, 3-1, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action under the lights at Celentano Field on Saturday evening. With the loss, the Falcons move to 8-8-2 overall and 6-5 in league play, while the Wildcats improved to 11-6-1 on the year and 9-1-1 in conference tilts.
Following the contest, both teams learned their post-season fate, as Albertus will enter the GNAC Tournament as the No. 6 seed and JWU earned the No. 2 seed. In the opening round, the Falcons travel to face Emmanuel, while the Wildcats host seventh-seeded Saint Joseph's (Me.).
The visitors opened the scoring just under 10 minutes into play as sophomore forward Kyra Selner collected a rebound and fired a shot past Albert Magnus senior goalkeeper Maria Case (West Haven, Conn.). The play was started by sophomore Taylor Hopkins whose initial shot attempt was blocked in the penalty area, Selner settled the loosed ball and found the back of the net for the 11th time this fall.
The early strike was the only score in the opening half despite both teams threatening. Case stood her ground early and often making a pair of saves during the first half. The best opportunities during the first 45 minutes for the hosts were both created by senior forward Acacia Nelson (Bridgeport, Conn.). Nelson came in on breakaway in the 21st minute and her shot sailed wide and in the 40th minute, her shot from the top of the box was blocked by a defender with Johnson & Wales senior goalkeeper Alex Place off her line.
In the second half, the Wildcats pulled away with a pair of goals less than two minutes apart late in regulation. In the 69th minute, freshman forward Deja Hursey received a pass just inside the penalty area and converted her ninth tally of the autumn to give JWU a two-goal edge. The guests stretched their lead to three as Hopkins scored on a free kick from just outside the box in the 71st minute. Hopkins bent her kick into the left upper 90 for her seventh goal of the season.
In the 87th minute, Albertus pulled within two courtesy of a strike from junior midfielder Kaitlyn Fedumenti (Stratford, Conn.). Fedumenti scored on a free kick from 10 yards outside the box for her fifth goal of the season and her third in the past two games in the 87th minute.
Down the stretch, the Falcons were unable to break through as the Wildcat backline held their ground and controlled possession.
In net, Case made three saves in a losing effort for Albertus Magnus. On the opposite end, Place turned aside eight shots to earn her 11th triumph this year.
Albertus Magnus held a slight 14-9 advantage in shots and the hosts took nine corners compared to just two for Johnson & Wales.
The Falcons return to action on Tuesday, October 27, with their regular season finale at home against CCNY.
Prior to this evening's contest, the women's soccer team honored the seven members of the senior class for their contributions to the program.
