In a nail-biter, Central Connecticut State University women’s soccer team secured its 13th Northeast Conference Championship at home after a 4-3 penalty shootout over No. 6 seed Wagner College.
The Blue Devils started the game off hot. The quick start by Central began to slow down as Wagner got more physical.
The game remained goalless going into the second half, where it turned into a constant back-and-forth, with both teams playing exceptional defense.
Head coach Mick D’Arcy acknowledged that Wagner’s defense disrupted the game plan the team had going in.
“We weren’t necessarily able to beat them on the other side, and we missed some chances,” D’Arcy said. “So, it was a little frustrating that the plan wasn’t working out the way we wanted it to, but it was just about showing some perseverance, sticking with it.”
While the first period of overtime was uneventful, the second had several game-defining moments.
The first of came three minutes in, when Central goalkeeper Melina Ford made an kick save while she was going to the ground.
Less than 23 seconds after Ford’s save, Central forward Abbie Burgess assisted team captain Giavanna Inzerillo on the right wing.
Despite getting a hand on it, Wagner’s goalkeeper could not stop the ball from flying into the left corner of the net, breaking the deadlock after 103 minutes and giving the Blue Devils the lead.
As the final minute of overtime approached, a foul was called against CCSU just outside the penalty box. Wagner was awarded a free-kick and tied the game 1-1.
Central went into the penalty shootout with a disadvantage as their primary penalty taker, Inzerillo, was out with an injury
Central scored four out of five penalties, including the winner by Gia Edwards, while Wagner only scored three, thanks to some saves from Ford.
Ford, a freshman, made five crucial saves throughout the game that won Central the championship and earned her the Most Valuable Player Award.
While Ford said she was happy to win the award, she also credits her teammates for making it possible.
“I’m only a freshman. I’m 18. I’m only a couple of months into college, and it’s just an unbelievable opportunity to be given this title,” Ford said. “But in my head, I know I wouldn’t have been able to get it without my teammates and without their help, getting forward and scoring goals so we could win.”
With its 13th NEC Championship, Central has the most out of any other program at the school.
Coach D’Arcy has led the team to 10 of those championships since taking the role in 2000. D’Arcy said he knows that the games will only get harder from here but says his team is ready to give anyone a fight.
“We’re in the bonus now,” D’Arcy says. “Let’s see what the draw gives us, but wherever we end up going, we’ll give them a game. We’re looking forward to it.”
The team will have a few days to celebrate a hard-earned NEC Championship before heading to Jefferey Field in University Park, Pennsylvania, to take on Penn State University in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament taking place Nov.10-12.
