The Central Connecticut State women’s soccer team topped the Chicago State Cougars 3-1 on Thursday night at the CCSU Soccer Field. The match was the two teams’ first meeting as conference opponents.
The victory, Central’s second in a row, lifted the Blue Devils to 4-8-1 in the season, while the Cougars continue to fall, dropping to 0-12.
In the 15th minute of the first half, junior Kiley Yepes scored the first goal of the match with an assist from sophomore Emma Radoncic. Central remained in control for most of the first half, as shots from Radoncic and senior Abbie Burgess kept the pressure on the Cougars.
Central doubled its lead in the 48th minute as freshman Stella Orellana, with help from Riley Powers and Gia Edwards, scored her first collegiate goal to put Central up 2-0, closing in on a sure victory.
Shots from seniors Daniela de Souza and Nicolle Santos, and freshman Hannah Dorney followed, but Chicago State was able to pull back as Bethany Bergholm scored in the 68th minute.
Central was unfazed, however. Following a 77th minute foul on Chicago State’s Veronika Avila, Yepes scored the ensuing penalty kick for her second goal of the game to put the Blue Devils back up two scores. Chicago State was unable to recover from its deficit, and the game ended in a 3-1 Central victory.
Head Coach Mick D’Arcy was pleased with how the team played.
“It’s about getting some continuity now, and some consistency,” he said. “It was important to get off to a good start…could have had one or more in the first half but we couldn’t put it away, but we came out strong in the second half and got that second goal.”
After Chicago State scored, D’Arcy noted that their experience and quality shone as the team went on with the rest of the half.
“Once we got the third one then it was a case of seeing the game out from there,” D’Arcy said.
Stella Orellana was thrilled with her performance on the night.
“It was amazing,” Orellana said. “I can’t really remember it too much, but I know I celebrated with my team, and I know that I put points up and help our team win.”
The Thursday night matchup was the second of six Blue Devil home games dedicated to former Duke University student-athlete Morgan Rodgers and the non-profit Morgan’s Message.
Rodgers died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 22 after years of mental health struggles, and the non-profit created in her memory strives to eliminate mental health stigma with college athletes. Before the game started, a moment of silence was held with all the players standing arm-in-arm at midfield to dedicate the game to the memory of Rodgers.
The athletes felt a sense of connection to Morgan’s story.
“Speak up,” de Souza said. “Don’t be afraid about what other people have to say. Just step up and take care of yourself first and look out for your friends as well. You’re never alone.”
D’Arcy shared the sentiment.
“It’s not just the athletes, it’s everybody,” he said. “It’s ok to not be ok, if you’re not feeling great just talk to someone. We all do. It’s not weakness, it’s a sign of strength. No one has to go through life on their own. The most important thing just to reach out, there’s help there for you.”
The Blue Devils will be back in New Britain on Thursday, October 24th for a divisional matchup against Saint Francis University as they enter the final stretch of their season.
