BOSTON, Mass. – Regis College was able to answer a first-half goal by Emerson College with one of its own to create a tie going into halftime, but the Lions scored early in the second half and then held off the Pride for a 2-1 victory in the 2019 season opener for both women's soccer teams Friday afternoon at Rotch Field.
Each team created a couple of scoring chances early in the first half, but neither team was able to convert on those opportunities. Emerson broke through in the 22nd minute as Grace Cosgrove found Ainslee MacQuarrie for the opening tally of the match.
Emerson (1-0) had an opportunity to increase its lead in the 29th minute off a corner kick by Veronica Alberts, but Ori Attridge (Westwood, Mass.) turned away a shot by Amanda Benavente to keep the Pride within one goal. Regis started increasing its offensive pressure, leading to shots by Kaylee Francis (Millis, Mass.) and Kara Carchedi (Quincy, Mass.).
Right after Carchedi's shot, Brianna Gaynor (Peabody, Mass.) was successful on her first shot attempt of the game, tying the match in the 34th minute. There was little action in the final 10 minutes of the first half, keeping the score at 1-1 heading into the intermission.
Regis gained the early offensive advantage in the second half, but a shot by Aria Ulmer (Henniker, N.H.) sailed high and a header from Julia Walsh (Waltham, Mass.) was stopped by Emerson keeper Megan Rose. The Lions took possession and created shots for Cali Bruce and Cosgrove that were off-target, but Sage Stack was on target in the 53rd minute for the eventual game-winning goal.
MacQuarrie looked for her second goal of the match in the 62nd minute, but Attridge made the save. The Lions continued to pressure the defense, but the Pride did not allow another tally. However, Regis only managed one more shot in the second half, an attempt by Francis in the 79th minute that sailed high.
Attridge finished the match with three saves, while Rose was credited with two saves. Each team ended up with nine total shots, led by Bruce and MacQuarrie of Emerson and Francis of Regis with three shots apiece.
Regis (0-1) heads to Framingham State to face the Rams Wednesday, Sept. 4, starting at 4 p.m. The Pride open a four-match homestand next Saturday, Sept. 7, against Lesley University at 2:30 p.m.