West Haven, C.T- After suffering a hard loss to the Greyhounds of Assumption, the Chargers opened their back-to-back game weekend welcoming the Yellowjackets of American International College to DellaCamera Stadium. The Chargers history has led them to a 3-year winning streak prior to today's 1-0 win, making it four years. Freshman Emma Beaujouan (Concord, N.H./Concord) netted her first collegiate goal to end the stale mate and bring home the win for the blue and gold.
As the first whistle blew, the game was evenly matched, both teams with aggressive offenses and strong backlines. Abby Clark from American International would find the first shot of the game as they made their way to New Haven's defense half, but the Chargers would find their way to the opposite end of the field right after the clear. Abby Nixon (Wrentham, Mass./King Phillip Regional) getting things started for New Haven finding two back-to-back shots within four minutes of play.
The two opponents played a significant amount of time in the midfield, with turnovers from both sides, resulting in back in forth play. The blue and gold pushing the offensive and leading in shots for the first quarter but would not find a way to capitalize on those shots. Kat Trammel (Sandy Hook, Conn./Newtown) would find two shots near the end of the first quarter, as well as Kelly Jacobson who would send one high and out, bringing the first quarter to an end with a score of 0-0.
The second quarter's energy remained the same, both teams fighting for the ball, resulting in numerous possessions for each, however lost connections would leave both teams with no offensive takes until nine minutes had gone by. New Haven finding a corner off a penalty in the circle for the first time, in the 24th minute of play, resulting in a shot from Eliza Cavan. American International unable to fully clear the ball twice, would result in two additional corners for the Chargers.
New Haven's defense would not allow American International to place a shot on goalkeeper Hallie Reiger (Oklahoma City, Okla./Casady School), but no team would find the opening goal. At the half, the blue and gold would lead the Yellowjackets by five shots.
Tied at zero going into the second half, the Chargers would take control pushing their way into the circle and maintain possession in American International's defensive half for the first 9 minutes of the third quarter. New Haven would find 4 shots on goal, before freshman Emma Beaujouan (Concord, N.H./Concord) would find the back of the net for her first career goal for New Haven. With the Chargers up by one, AIC would look for the equalizer, but found only one shot before time ran out on the third quarter.
Stakes were high going into the fourth quarter, one goal would even up the game. With the pressure on, the Chargers were able to find numerous shots, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, those shots led by Kat Trammel (Sandy Hook, Conn./Newtown) and Johannah Lee (State College, Pa./State College Area). American International would find there way back to New Haven's side, firing off two shots on two corners, but none would stick for the equalizer.
As the time ran out, New Haven was unable to extend its lead, but the Chargers defense made some incredible stops to keep the Yellowjackets from tying up the game. New Haven would total up 14 shots, 9 making their way on goal forcing saves. Hallie Reiger (Oklahoma City, Okla./Casady School), finding two saves on the evening.
Looking forward, the Chargers will head right back to DellaCamera Stadium tomorrow afternoon for their second game of back-to-back play, as they host Bloomsburg University. That game is scheduled for Sunday, October 1st with a 2:00 p.m. start and you can find all the action on the Chargers Sports Network on NE10 NOW.
