The Blue Devil Women’s Soccer team overcame a late 1-0 deficit to beat Fairleigh Dickinson 2-1 on Thursday night in CCSU’s Conference home opener. The win was Central’s first of the year following a brutal non-conference slate that included losses to Texas A&M and Army.

After dropping their NEC opener at Long Island University, the Blue Devils forged forward to down the Knights on a rainy night in New Britain.

FDU netted the first goal of the game well into the second half, sneaking it past keeper Taylor DeFlorio in the 69th minute. Despite the blemish, DeFlorio put up another heroic effort in the net, as she stopped four shots and allowed just one goal in 13 attempts from the Knights.

Central responded right away, as midfielder Aoife Horgan answered in the 71st minute with a goal of her own, her first of the season. She was assisted by forward Toni Domingos, who made the most of limited minutes in the match.

Horgan, who was limited in the non-conference schedule, provided the spark that the Blue Devils were desperately looking for.

With time winding down in a 1-1 deadlock, midfielder Emma Radoncic made a play, assisting forward Riley Powers on an 87th minute goal to put the Blue Devils ahead for good.

After scoring just one goal over seven non-conference bouts, the Blue Devil attack has found its stride with three goals in two NEC games. 

With Horgan, the reigning NEC Midfielder of the Year, back to full strength and a revitalized attacking unit, Central will look to ride the wave as they travel to Mercyhurst on Sunday for a match against the Division 1 and NEC newcomer Lakers.