LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Women's Soccer earned its first point of 2019 with a hard fought 1-1 draw vs. defending Northeast Conference Champion and preseason favorite Central Connecticut at Siena Field. The goals were scored by
Amber Alfonzo for Siena and Roma McLaughlin for CCSU.
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Both goals came late in the second half in an evenly contested battle between the squads which played to a 1-1 tie for the second straight season. Siena (0-5-1) served as one of just four matches last fall that perennial regional power Central Connecticut (2-2-2) didn't win in a 16-2-2 campaign.
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Alfonzo was the beneficiary of a great individual effort from freshman
Caitlin Wania to put the Saints in front in the 70
th minute. Wania eluded several defenders and sent in a cross from the right which deflected off
Darby D'Angelo. Alfonzo finished inside the near right post for her team-leading second score of the year.
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But the Blue Devils responded with the equalizer with just 87 seconds remaining in regulation. Shauny Alterisio played a ball through from the left down the middle, and McLaughlin secured the first touch and finished for her team-high fourth goal.
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Central Connecticut held slight margins in both shots (16-12) and corners (4-3).
Taylor Dorado stopped five shots for Siena, while Amanda McQuillan registered eight saves for CCSU.
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The Saints return to action Thursday when they travel to Big East foe Seton Hall for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
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