Box Score FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Marissa Christy scored the game-winning goal 1:09 into overtime as the Sacred Heart University women's soccer team won its NEC opener over Bryant 1-0 at Campus Field on Sunday afternoon.
Just over one minute into the extra period, Kristen Verrette sent a lob pass through ball over the Bryant defenders that found Christy. She held off a defender as she took the ball down and chipped it over a charging Kaylan Conrad to secure the victory in the NEC opener for both teams.
After a scoreless first period, the Pioneers nearly took the lead in the 56th minute on their first shot on goal after a Jillian Picnich through ball found Verrette on the edge of the box. With two defenders surrounding her, Verrette was able to fire a shot on net that was saved by Conrad. The Pioneers continued to pressure Conrad as both Marissa Christy and Dana Cosmedy put headers on net in the 60th and 61st minute, but didn't score. Bryant's Allison DeBenedictis produced the next opportunity as she sent a shot just high in the 74th minute.
Both teams hit the crossbar with less than 16 minutes remaining in the game. Verrette first struck the bar in the 75th minute. Less than three minutes later, Bryant's Suzanne Sanders shot ricocheted off of the bar.
Verrette thought she had put the Pioneers in the lead once again in the 80th minute but her left-footed shot from the 18 forced a one handed save by Conrad over the crossbar. Picinich produced a header from the ensuing corner that she sent to the side netting. The last shot of regulation came from the Bulldogs as Crofut sent another shot just over the crossbar in the 83rd minute.
Picnich took the first shot of the game in the 7th minute. Her 30-yard attempt sailed wide. Bryant's first opportunity came just under two minutes later on a 2-on-2 as Haley Reddish sent a shot just wide in eighth minute. The only shot on net in the period came on a Bryant free kick by Hannah Crofut in the 23rd minute. Schwartz was able to save the near post shot to keep the game scoreless. Sacred Heart's best opportunity to take the lead came in the 28th minute when a Verrette corner found Kim McNally far post. The freshman's volley missed just right.
Schwartz recorded her second straight clean sheet as she saved five shots in the victory. All eight of Conrad's saves came in the second half. For the game, the Pioneers outshot the Bulldogs 19-12 and also held a 6-3 advantage in corners.
SHU continues NEC play as they travel to LIU Brooklyn for a 4 pm game next Friday.
