Box Score SMITHFIELD, R.I. – For the second time in three games, the Bryant University women's soccer team was outshot by a wide margin, but found itself less than a minute from overtime before Yale's 89th minute goal handed the visitors a tough 2-1 loss on Friday afternoon.
Senior keeper
Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) was asked to be the hero once again, as she faced nine shots on goal and made seven saves despite allowing her first two goals of the year. The defense was busy all afternoon with 21 shots attempted for the Elis (1-0), 13 coming in the second half.
The hosts handed Bryant (2-1) its first conceded goal of the season just five minutes into the game from the top left corner of the box. Keri Cavallo was on the receiving end of a Geneva Decker pass which set up the 1-0 edge.
Yale's dominance persisted over the remainder of the first half and well into the second. Eight shots were ripped off for the Elis in the opening frame, while Bryant did not attempt one. The hosts also lined up for 10 corners versus no set pieces for the visitors, but the defense held firm and did not break.
Though chances were few and far between, the Black and Gold fired off four shots in the second stanza and were able to find the equalizer in the 67th minute. Sophomore mid
Alison Guilmette (Coventry, R.I.) took a beautiful pass on a free kick from senior
Kaitlyn Spangler (Acton, Mass.) and headed it over the keeper into the net.
Both sides had an equal amount of scoring opportunities over the next 20 minutes, but blocks and shots that sailed wide and high made overtime look clear in sight. Yale made one final push in the 87th minute, as a Sofia Griff shot in the box got blocked, but possession was maintained.
With Bryant clawing to get back on defense, Aerial Chavarin, whose fresh legs had just subbed in, timed a run perfectly and broke through the backline after receiving a through ball from Colleen McCormack. Chavarin chipped home the eventual game winner from inside the box, handing Bryant its first loss of the year in dramatic fashion.
Michelle Alozie led all performers with six shots, two being on net, while Cavallo pestered Conrad all afternoon, placing four shots on target. Reigning NEC Rookie of the Week
Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) sailed a header just wide in the 70th minute for her only attempt. Senior
Abigail Smith (Kingston, N.H.) and freshman
Marissa Grasso (Shelton, Conn.) also attempted shots in the loss.
Bryant wraps up its participation in the Yale Classic on Sunday when it takes on Fairfield from New Haven Conn., at 12:00 p.m. Live stats will be available at YaleBulldogs.com.
