From our friends at Catholic Athletics...
Back-to-Back, Cardinals Reclaim Landmark Conference Title
On a soaking wet CUA Soccer Field, in dramatic fashion, The Catholic University of America women's soccer captured the win for their second consecutive Landmark Conference Championship over the University of Scranton Royals, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon.
After torrential downpours Friday evening and light rain for the majority of Saturday morning, the Bermuda grass of CUA Soccer Field was drenched, leaving the pace of the game and speed of the ball unpredictable for the 2015 Landmark Conference Championship contest.
The Royals struck first with a goal in the thirteenth minute. A short pass to the top of the 18-yard box from Scranton junior Kelly Egan to classmate Christina Akalski was fired into the top corner of the net just past CUA senior goal keeper Lexi Halperin.
The Cards returned to the pitch after the halftime intermission with a one goal deficit and tied the game up in the 54th minute. Junior Andrea Jablonskyj crossed the ball from the right corner of the field to senior Kirsten Wosleger. Wosleger took advantage of the pass, heading the ball in between the posts to keep Catholic alive.
Scranton looked for vengeance over the reigning conference champions when Egan notched a go-ahead goal in 61st minute. With the Cardinals down by one goal the game clock ticked away nearing the 90 minute mark. But Catholic would not go down without a fight.
The Cards, who outshot the Royals 20-8 throughout the contest, had just under seven minutes left to reclaim their title, and they did just that.
With a free kick opportunity in the 84th minute senior Ava Brown was called to take the shot. From about 30 yards out in the left side of the pitch Brown lobbed the free kick over the Scranton keeper's head into the top right corner of the net. The Cards came alive. Just 34 seconds later at the 84:17 mark, Landmark Conference leading goal scorer, junior Lindsay Aleman sent a pass from junior Alyssa Fiore right into the net.
As time expired The Catholic University of America women's soccer team charged the field for their second consecutive Landmark Conference crown.
With the winning goal, Aleman notched her 21st goal of the season, setting a new program record for single season goals. The previous record of 20 was held by Laura Kaye from the 2005 CAC Championship Team. Aleman was selected as the 2015 Landmark Conference Championship Tournament MVP following the game.
CUA freshman Taylor Pisk led the offense with four shots during the contest while Aleman and Wosleger each took three. Halperin made five saves between the posts.
The 2015 conference championship marks Catholic's third conference title since the inauguration of the Landmark in 2007, and fourth in program history as they were CAC Champions in 2005.
Click here for yesterday's box score.
