STANDISH, Maine - Regis College could not complete a comeback from a two-goal deficit, as Saint Joseph's College held on for a 2-1 victory Saturday afternoon in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's collegiate soccer match at the SJC Athletics Complex.
The Monks struck first in the 18th minute as a crossing pass by Madison Michaud squirted through the arms of Regis goalie Daniela Mazo (Bridgeport, Conn.), with Aaliyah Wilson-Falcone chipping the loose ball into the net. Mazo did make three saves in the first half to keep the margin at one goal, while the Pride's best scoring opportunity came in the final seconds of the half when Retta Hatin's (Hooksett, N.H.) long shot hit the crossbar.
Michaud nearly extended the Monk lead four minutes into the second half, but the Pride defense kept the ball from crossing the goal line for a team save. Meanwhile, Hatin and Payton Bridge (Norton, Mass.) threatened to tie the match, but Monk keeper Carly Downey was able to make the save on both shot attempts.
Saint Joseph's College (8-8-1, 8-3-1 GNAC) picked up its insurance goal in the 67th minute when Samantha Colatruglio set up Michaud for her 10th goal of the season. The Monks kept the pressure on the Pride defense, as Lelia Weir took a shot that hit the left post while Michaud's scoring attempt was turned away by Mazo.
In the 82nd minute, after a foul by Saint Joseph's College, Tia Zanardi (Haverhill, Mass.) launched a free kick into the box, and Aria Ulmer (Henniker, N.H.) directed the ball into the net on a header for her fourth goal of the season. The Pride created one final scoring opportunity in the 89th minute, but Downey was able to corral a shot by Meadow Comeiro (Woburn, Mass.), and the Monks held possession as the clock ran out.
For the second straight match, Mazo finished with six saves, while Downey ended up with five saves for the Monks. Saint Joseph's College outshot Regis, 23-11, led by Michaud and Wilson-Falcone with four shots apiece.
Regis College (9-5-2, 8-3-1 GNAC) closes out the regular season against Dean College Wednesday, Oct. 26, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Purple the Pitch match, as the team will be raising money for the Alzheimer's Association.