Women's Soccer Falls to UMass Boston, 2-1

BOSTON, Mass. – After falling behind 1-0 just five minutes into the match, the University of Massachusetts Boston women's soccer team rallied for two first half goals along with a strong defensive surge to hold on for a 2-1 victory over Bridgewater State University this afternoon at the Clark Athletic Center field.

The win propels the Beacons to 3-1-1 on the year which is the best start in program history while the loss drops the Bears to 1-3 overall.

Junior forward Kristen Mulry (Holbrook, Mass.) netted the eventual game-winner 15:52 into the match off an assist from freshman forward Tayla Andrews (Plymouth, Mass.). Andrews fired the initial shot on frame which senior goalkeeper Kayla Grover (Haverhill, Mass.) turned away but Mulry was there for her second goal of the year, finding the back of the net on the rebound.

Bridgewater State struck first on junior forward Jordan McDermott's (East Bridgewater, Mass.) second goal of the season. Following a Beacon foul close to midfield, senior forward Amanda Vigneault (Ludlow, Mass.) fired a shot on net that fooled UMass Boston freshman goalkeeper Katie Coscia (Pittsfield, Mass.). Coscia was able to make the initial save but McDermott was able to easily coral the rebound for the score, giving the Bears the early 1-0 lead.

The Beacons evened the score at 1-1 when junior midfielder Brianna Cavanaugh (Belchertown, Mass.) put home a crossed ball from a direct kick taken by freshman midfielder Samantha Cristoforo (Rockland, Mass.). Cavanaugh headed home her first goal of the campaign at the 12:44 mark of the first half to erase the Bears' 1-0 lead.

For Bridgewater State, Grover finished the game with 10 saves while Coscia registered four stops before being relieved at the half by freshman keeper Laura Purcell (West Haven, Conn). Purcell also registered four saves in a scoreless second half effort in her collegiate debut.

The Beacons return to action on Saturday, September 18 in a Little East Conference matchup vs. Southern Maine at 1:00 p.m. in Boston. The Bears host Westfield State that same day in a 12:00 p.m. MASCAC tilt.