WASHINGTON — A second half flurry was not enough to bag an equalizer as the Sacred Heart University women's soccer team concluded its season, falling to Howard University in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship quarterfinals, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Both teams started the first half looking for the opening goal but failed to generate chances on either ends as both squads settled into the match. The Bison, however, had the majority of the possession through the opening half hour, tallying up three corners in quick succession that were dealt with by the SHU defense. 
 
In the 31^st minute, the Bison found themselves on the board after the Pioneers had conceded a throw in, in their defensive third. After playing the ball back into play, Howard's Marli Berry lined up a shot from outside the penalty area that made its way through multiple players in front and past SHU goalkeeper Elyssa Kipperman who was screened on the shot, as the home side took a 1-0 lead. 
 
The Pioneers battled for the remaining 15 minutes but could not solve Howard's Trinity Knox, who made three saves in the opening half as the Bison held the lead at halftime, 1-0. 
 
SHU came out of the break with a flare, garnering multiple chances within the first 15 minutes but could not put anything past Knox, who held firm as the match approached the hour mark with the Pios firing five shots her way to begin the second half. The Red & White continued their search for an equalizer but HU's Knox was equal to every effort, amassing four saves in the final 45 minutes as Berry's 31^st-minute strike was the deciding score as SHU fell, 1-0. 
 
Top Performers: 

• Shea Kelleher: 5 shots, 3 shots on goal
• Morgan Bovardi: 2 shots, 1 on goal
• Kelly Medeiros: 1 shot, 1 shot on goal

 
Of Note:

• The loss finalizes SHU's record for the 2023-24 season at 6-9-4 with a 5-4-1 record in conference play. 
• The Pios had nine players achieve the 1,000 minutes played mark this season with first year Lindsay McShea leading the team with 1,456 minutes. 
• Kelly Medeiros, McShea and Bovardi were the lone trio of Pios who earned the starting nod in all 19 matches this year. 
• Junior Grace O'Hara finishes as the team leader in points with 20 and ends the year tied in goals with Bovardi who both bagged eight in the campaign. 
• McShea earns the assist crown for the Pios with five helpers on the year, including two in SHU's 2-0 win over Le Moyne to earn the fifth spot in the conference standings on Thursday.