In a tight back-and-forth game that neither team could take control of, Central Connecticut State University’s women’s soccer team defeated Northeast Conference foe Long Island University, 1-0, on Thursday, Sept. 21, at CCSU Soccer Field.
Both teams were carelessly turning the ball over. Both were putting balls into the box, and both sides just could not capitalize in the first 45 minutes.
When the whistle blew for the start of the second half, it was apparent that Central wanted to take over the game.
Going into the second half, head coach Mick D’Arcy recognized that the brand of soccer being played in the first half of the game was more suited for how LIU wanted to play and knew he needed to adjust.
“I thought we were a little helter-skelter in the first half,” D’Arcy said. “That’s not how we really want to play. I think that suited LIU more because they were able to counter us.”
As the second half went on, the Blue Devils gained control of the game, creating chances and containing the ball on their attacking end for most of the half. This patience and never-say-die attitude would pay off in the 79th minute when senior forward Giavanna Inzerillo blasted a goal in the bottom corner of the net to put the Blue Devils up 1-0.
Central’s defense was strong in stopping any sort of attack from LIU. The midfield did an excellent job at pressing and getting LIU to force turnovers and misplaced passes. The Blue Devils’ attackers were also able to pass through the press of the Sharks and played with confidence and a sense of calmness.
Even though the Blue Devils came out victorious, Coach D’Arcy was frustrated with his team’s overall performance but will gladly take the win, especially over a conference opponent.
“I thought we started well first ten or fifteen minutes, had a couple of really good chances, and didn’t take them,” D’Arcy said. “Let LIU back into the game, and they were good and had a really good spell for about ten minutes in the first half. We regrouped at halftime. I don’t think they got a whole lot of looks in the second half. We were a little more patient and a little more disciplined in our play, and it just took a while for the goal to come. So, overall, not our best performance, but it’s a win, a shutout, it’s 3 points at home, so we’re happy.”
Central will look to add to their two-game winning streak when they travel to Teaneck, New Jersey, to play Fairleigh Dickinson University on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m.
