Box Score
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The D'Youville women's soccer team opened postseason play Friday morning in the USCAA Championship taking on top-seeded Maine Fort Kent. The No. 4 seed Saints fell 1-0 to the Bengals in Pool A action. The defeat puts the Saints at 5-9-2 on the season.
A tight first half saw both teams head to the break scoreless. One of the Saints' best opportunities came in the 18th minute when freshman Jillian Bernas raced down the field and past the Bengals' backline, before being fouled just outside of the 18-yard box. Bernas' run forward set up a free kick for junior Jordan Pachla, who curled her shot into the lower-left corner of the net but her attempt was saved by the UMFK's goalkeeper.
The Saints outshot the top-seeded Bengals (9-5-3), 6-4, with a 4-3 shots on goal advantage while senior goalkeeper Laurie Poeller collected three saves in the opening 45 minutes.
The Saints fell behind early in the second half on a goal in the 52nd minute. The Bengals gained control of the ball in the D'Youville half and Gizela Carranza picked out Mylena Prado, who placed her shot into the lower right corner of the net to beat Poeller and break the scoreless deadlock.
D'Youville's lone attempt on goal in the second half came off the foot of senior Maggie Leeds but she was denied by the UMFK goalkeeper in the 68th minute.
Leeds and Pachla led the Saints offensively with three shots each and two attempts on frame apiece … Bernas also placed a shot on goal in the match … Poeller finished the opening match of the USCAA Championship with three saves.
The Saints return to USCAA Championship Pool A action tomorrow morning when they take on Bluefield State. Kick-off is slated for 10 a.m.
Fans can follow Saturday's match for free through Live Stats. The game will also be streamed live through paid access to the USCAA Sports Network. Make sure to follow the Saints on Instagram (@dyouvillewsc) and Twitter (@DYouvilleWSC).
