The Central Connecticut State University women’s soccer team lost a close game at home against Saint John’s University on Monday, Sept. 4.
The game started out very back and forth between the two sides. The Red Storm came out pressing early and was the aggressor. The Blue Devils were shocked by the instant pressure but stood their ground and found their rhythm as the half went on.
The Blue Devils looked to play through the press of the Red Storm by letting the center backs hit long balls to their speedy wingers, hoping to beat St. John’s with their speed on the flanks. Their midfielders also played high up to help the defense with passes to jump-start the attack.
The Red Storm looked to play a fast-paced, aggressive style of soccer. Winning two early corners, they looked for their big center backs to jump for headers. St. John’s defender Frederique Saint Jean would try to get to the back post and catch the CCSU defense off guard. But the Blue Devils’ defense kept its shape and was able to stop it every chance St. John’s had.
The Blue Devils’ defense played a huge role in the game, only allowing five shots in the first half. CCSU’s head coach, Mick D’Arcy, acknowledged how vital defense was for his team.
“Your back line has to be solid. We’ve had a tradition here for the past few years where we don’t give up many goals. But yeah, they did very well today, and that is what I expect from them,” D’Arcy said.
In the first half neither team wanted the other to create any chances in their respective attacking area. The second half, however, was a different story. Minutes into the second half, graduate student Isabelle Aviza scored after some beautiful build-up play from St. John’s.
“We turned the ball over in the midfield, and they countered quickly and finished with a tremendous strike to score the goal,” D’Arcy said. “When you play against good teams and good players, you get punished by your mistakes, and that is what happened today.”
Central responded well, forcing a penalty just minutes later. Senior forward Giavanna Inzerillo tied the game up with a penalty in the bottom left corner.
St. John’s looked for the game-winning goal for the rest of the game. They were playing well, and in the match’s final minutes, junior forward Jordyn Levy scored to put St. John’s ahead two goals to one.
Even after a tough loss, there were some bright spots from CCSU. Freshman goalkeeper Melina Ford was solid in her debut. She made crucial saves, and her ball distribution was crisp and decisive.
“I thought Melina did really well today; for a freshman, she’s got a good head on her shoulders… she is calm, she is composed,” D’Arcy said. “I don’t think she had much chance on either of the goals, but overall, I’m happy with the way she played.”
The Blue Devils are 1-3-1 this season and will look to get back to their winning ways on Thursday, Sept. 7, when they take a trip to Fairfield and take on the Fairfield University Stags.
