Fairfield, Conn. – The fourth-seeded Sacred Heart University women's soccer team pulled off a thrilling upset, defeating the cross-town rival and top-seeded, Fairfield, 1-0, to punch its ticket to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship game.
Top Performers:
Morgan Bovardi: game-winning goal
Shea Kelleher: 1 assist
Between the Pipes:
Sacred Heart:
Kyran Thievon: (W 11-6-1) 0 goals against | 7 saves
Fairfield: Katie Wright: 1 goal against | 3 saves
How it Happened:
- From the opening whistle, both teams came out with energy, knowing a trip to the MAAC Championship was on the line. Fairfield immediately pressured the Pioneers after being granted two corner kicks in the opening minute.
- The Pioneers' back line, anchored by Theanna Burnett and Quinn Pollack, stood tall the whole game, playing a pivotal part in keeping the Stags off the board.
- As the half went on, Sacred Heart started generating quality chances of its own. Bovardi and Kelleher fired multiple shots, putting pressure on the Stags' defense.
- Towards the end of the first half, Thievon had an incredible save to keep the game tied.
- The intensity ramped up in the second half as Fairfield became ultra-aggressive, firing 16 shots. But Sacred Heart still stood tall. Thievon was unbeatable, making six saves in the half.
- Finally, the Pioneers got an opportunity, and they did not let it go to waste. In the 85th minute, captain Morgan Bovardi found the back of the net with her 12th goal of the year. The goal sent not only the Pioneers' bench in a frenzy, it also took the breath out of the Stags.
- In the final five minutes, the Pioneers locked in defensively, clearing every ball and blocking every shot attempt. When the final whistle blew, Sacred Heart's bench erupted in celebration as the team secured its first-ever trip to the MAAC Championship game.
Of Note:
- Fairfield's 25-game home unbeaten streak was snapped, it was the longest streak in the country
- The Stags had not lost a conference game in 20 games (Last loss was to Sacred Heart, last regular season)
- Fairfield was #22 in the country in the most recent Top Drawer Soccer Poll
Up Next:
- Sacred Heart is back in action on Sunday, November 9, at noon, as the Pioneers travel to face Canisius in the MAAC Championship.
