Pilgrims fall to Nor'easters in the final minutes
University of New England women’s soccer forward Nicole Richardson (Rochester, N.H.) would score the game-winner with just 1:31 remaining in regulation to lift the visiting Nor’easters past the New England College Pilgrims 2-1 Saturday afternoon. With the win the Nor’easters improve to 10-1-0 overall and 7-1-0 in conference play. The loss evens the Pilgrims’ overall record at 5-5-2 and moves them to 3-3-1 in the conference.
The Nor’easters would have several scoring opportunities throughout the first with a total of 11 shots but just two on net. UNE forward Sarah Richardson (Rochester, N.H.) gave the Nor’easters their best scoring opportunity in the 25th minute as her shot would ricochet off the crossbar.
UNE would score the equalizer just 3:54 into the second half of play as Ali Trafton (Manchester, Maine) would put in a cross from Sarah Richardson (Rochester, N.H.) knotting the game at 1-1. The two teams would battle through much of the second half scoreless as the Nor’easters would out shoot the Pilgrims 11-0 in the second.
UNE’s Sarah Richardson would break away from the Pilgrim defense thanks to a nice feed from Trafton netting the game-winner with 1:31 remaining in regulation. UNE would finish the game out shooting NEC 22-4 and hold the 3-0 advantage in corners.
Picking up the win in net for UNE was Leigh Engel (Richmondville, N.Y.) In net for NEC was Kerry Hughes (Wallkill, N.Y.) who finished with six saves on the afternoon.
The Pilgrims return to action on Monday, Oct. 12 when they host conference opponent Wentworth Institute of Technology at 3:30 p.m. The Nor’easters will travel to take on conference opponent Colby-Sawyer College on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m.
