HOBOKEN, N.J. – Three goals from three different players in less than eight minutes propelled the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team past Springfield on Sunday afternoon, 3-2, from DeBaun Athletic Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First-year goalkeeper
Maria O'Brien made four saves in the first 11 minutes of her collegiate debut, but could not keep the Pride's fifth on-target attempt of the match out, as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the 12
th minute.
Stevens (1-0-1) was persistent in looking for an equalizer before the halftime whistle, forcing nine saves from Springfield (0-1) keeper Mallory Forgatch between the 15
th and 45
th minute, but could not push one over the goal line.
The Ducks' constant pressure finally broke through (repeatedly) early in the second half. First, it was
Sophia Murphy, who capitalized off a Springfield turnover and put a left-footed strike bar down a few steps inside the 18-yard box to equalize in the 51
st minute.
Off the ensuing restart,
Sarah Wnorowski forced a turnover about 25 yards out, dribbled toward the end line, crossed to
Abby Davis near the 12-yard marker, who in turn found
Alina Friz crashing toward the six-yard marker, with the sophomore putting the Ducks in front.
In the 59
th minute, Murphy threaded the needle between the Springfield back line with a through-ball that
Lauren Alley got to a split-second before Forgatch at the tip of the 18-yard box, playing it ahead to herself and tapping in on an open net from seven yards out.
Alley's goal proved all the more pivotal when Springfield got one back in the 83
rd, but did not attempt another shot the rest of the way, as the Stevens' defense yielded just two shots and no corner kicks in the second half.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Stevens' 29 shots were the most in a match since attempting 30 against Arcadia in the MAC Freedom Semifinals on October 31, 2023.
- Alley led all players with four shots, just two off Springfield's team total; Friz finished with three, Murphy and Alana Odom each finished with two.
- O'Brien earned her first collegiate win, recording four saves in the process.
- First-year Madi Chester logged 13 minutes in her Ducks' debut.
UP NEXT
After two games in 48 hours, the Ducks will have nearly a week before a return to action when they hit the road for the first time this season next Saturday for a 1:00 contest against St. Joseph's – Long Island.
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