Women's Soccer Loses NEC Tournament Semifinal Game To Saint Francis In Shoot-out

Teaneck, N.J. - The Quinnipiac University women's soccer team played to a 2-2 draw against Saint Francis (Pa.) in the first round of the Northeast Conference Tournament on Friday, Nov. 5., but lost to the Red Flash in a shoot-out, 3-1. With the tie, the Bobcats conclude the 2010 season at 5-2-4 in conference play and with an overall record of 7-7-4, while Saint Francis advances to the NEC Championship Game to face Long Island.

Four goals were conceded in the second half. Although both teams created scoring opportunities in the first half, neither could capitalize. Overall, the Bobcats outshot the Red Flash 5-2 in the first 45 minutes of play.The first goal of the game was scored in the 48^th minute of play by Saint Francis forward Barbara Maros De Carvalho for her fifth goal of the season. The goal resulted from a Red Flash corner kick which was recovered by Saint Francis and chipped off the right post and into the net.

The Bobcats came back in the 55^th minute after a free kick from Furtuna Velaj (Stamford, Conn.) was driven into the box to find Kristina Del Mistro (East Williston, N.Y.) in front of the net. The ball was recovered by senior Meagan McLoughlin who scored Quinnipiac goal number one, her third goal of the season.

Del Mistro scored in the 59^th minute to put Quinnipiac ahead, 2-1. Velaj flicked on a throw in by Jillian Strassner (Avon, Conn.) to Lauren Peacock (Hopedale, Mass.) who then passed to Del Mistro. The junior hit a shot into the lower-right corner of the net for her third goal this fall.

Chelsea Traurig tapped in the second Saint Francis goal to tie the game in the 75^th minute of play off of a pass from Haleigh Dunyon. The tying goal was Traurig's second this fall.

After two scoreless overtime periods, the game was forced into penalty kicks, where Saint Francis outscored the Bobcats 3-1. Velaj made the first shot, followed by three Red Flash goals. Edwards' shot hit the post, while Red Flash goalie Lauren Fearer saved two shots to clinch the shutout.

Overall, Quinnipiac goalie Jillian Kelley (Simsbury, Conn.) made five saves in the match, while Fearer made seven for Saint Francis.

The Northeast Conference Championship game will be held at Fairleigh Dickinson between top-seeded Long Island and the number two seed Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m.