WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven women's soccer team was on the short end of a 4-2 decision in its 2014 home opener this Wednesday afternoon against Dowling. Courtney Marra (New Fairfield, Conn./Immaculate) led the Chargers with a goal and an assist.
 
After the result, New Haven and Dowling both stand at 1-2-0.
 
Amber Simms (Southport, England/Southport) started the scoring in the 24th minute. Marra connected with her fellow senior co-captain, who worked along the end line and beat Golden Lions' keeper Melissa Guglielmo to stake the Blue and Gold to a 1-0 lead.
 
Simms' goal was her second of the fall and the 23rd of her career. She now stands at seventh all-time in goals for the Chargers and shares seventh place in points (57) with former teammate Lucy Francisco '13.
 
The 1-0 margin held through the intermission, but Dowling's Amber Pindulic struck twice early in the second half – once in the 49th minute and again in the 54th minute – to put the Golden Lions on top for the first time, 2-1.
 
The lead held for just 81 seconds, as Marisa Garcia (Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) found Marra on the wing in the 55th minute, and the senior chipped in the equalizer from 20 yards out to knot the match at 2-2.
 
Marra's three points on the day were her first of the season, while Garcia notched an assist for the second consecutive match.
 
The eventual game-winner came off the foot of Dowling's Dayna Galli in the 71st minute, and the visitors put the match away in the 83rd minute on a marker from Taylor Davide to round out the 4-2 final count.
 
Moriah Saidel (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) started and played the opening half between the posts for the Chargers, stopping all four shots that she faced. Natasha Purchla (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) made a pair of second-half saves.

Guglielmo turned away four shots for Dowling.
 
New Haven returns to the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 13, opening its Northeast-10 Conference slate with a 4 p.m. contest at Saint Anselm. After a Wednesday trip to Assumption, action comes back to Kayo Field with a visit from Bentley under the lights at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.