BANGOR, Maine – The Wheaton College (Mass.) women's soccer team was defeated by host Husson University, 2-1, this afternoon at John P. Boucher Field in Bangor, Maine.
The Lyons slip to 2-1-1 on the season, while the Eagles improve to 2-1-0.
All three goals in the game were scored in the final 21 minutes. Each team managed just one shot in the first half and Wheaton held an 8-6 margin for the game in shots. The teams were even with two corner kicks apiece.
Husson broke the scoreless tie with a marker off a corner kick in the 70th minute to take a 1-0 edge. Senior back Rylee Speed (Corinth, Maine) served the ball from the right corner flag to the front of the goal mouth, where junior midfielder Hailey Tarbox (Sanford, Maine) finished the set piece with a header into the right corner of the net to give the Eagles the lead.
The Lyons pulled even when they cracked the scoring column with 12 minutes to play in the contest on a penalty kick. Senior back Maya Thomas (Goffstown, N.H.) was brought down on a push from behind in the box to give Wheaton a PK opportunity. Sophomore Camila Leiva (Warwick, R.I.) fired a shot that rattled off the right post and settled into the back of the net for her team-leading fifth goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.
The Lyons looked to build on their momentum just over a minute later on a corner kick when they played the corner shot and sophomore Kate Rafferty (Westerly, Mass.) carried the ball to the outside of the left side of the box, before lifting a shot that sailed just over the far right post.
Both teams looked like they would settle for a draw until Husson capitalized on a late opportunity and its only shot in the final 12 minutes of play, netting the game-winner with just 25 ticks remaining on the game clock. Sophomore defender Thea Gerfen (Tinley Park, Ill.) carried the ball down the left side into Wheaton's defensive zone, before lifting a cross into the goal mouth. Senior forward Olivia Charles (Barboursville, W. Va.) got her foot on the ball, but it came off her foot and ended up in front of sophomore forward Jaquie Pangburn (Eddington, Maine) for a shot into the left post for the game-winning score.
Sophomore goalie Olivia King (Simsbury, Conn.) made one save for the Lyons, while sophomore netminder Gabriella Smith (Biddeford, Maine) turned away one shot as well for the Eagles.
Wheaton returns to action on Wednesday, September 16 when it hosts Endicott College at 4:00 p.m. at Mirrione Stadium, while Husson travels to Waterville, Maine tomorrow to play No. 24 Colby College at 3:00 p.m.
