BOX SCORE Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Senior Holly Dawson netted the game-winning goal in the 78th minute on Sunday afternoon, as the University of New Haven women’s soccer team came back to defeat Saint Michael’s College by the final score of 3-2 on Senior Day at Kayo Field.

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With the win, the Chargers kept their playoff hopes alive and improved to 8-7-2 overall on the season. Their 6-6-2 mark in conference play leaves them with 20 points, just one behind the eighth place slot.

All the action in this one picked up in the 32nd minute on the Purple Knights’ defensive end. Lucy Francisco collected her fifth goal of the season on the play, granting the Chargers a 1-0 lead. Francisco’s tally would be the lone score in the first half, giving the home team a 1-0 advantage.

However after the break in action, the Purple Knights would be the first team to strike in the second stanza. Saint Michael’s generated two goals in the first 10 minutes, retaking the lead, 2-1. Laura Ostrout and Kristin Hagenbarth were credited with the goals for the visiting Purple Knights.

Trailing 2-1 and knowing a loss eliminated them from the tournament, the Chargers needed to buckle down. Emily Buckley-Matura demonstrated her determination in the 68th minute, as the senior provided the equalizer with a terrific individual effort. Buckley-Matura earned a 50/50 ball in the Saint Michael’s backfield and buried New Haven’s second goal, knotting the score up at 2-2.

A mere 10 minutes later, Holly Dawson and the Chargers offense found the back of the net for a third time, just enough for three more points. Dawson slammed home a rebound goal in front of the net, her sixth mark of the season, granting UNH a 3-2 victory.

Chargers goalkeeper Kim Taylor made four saves in her eighth win of the season. Her counterpart, Brittany Cocozza, registered nine in the losing effort.

New Haven returns to action on Wednesday, October 27 for a conference showdown against Adelphi University. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Kayo Field.