WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary women's soccer team suffered a 1-0 setback to Northeastern in the Colonial Athletic Association opener both teams at Martin Family Stadium on Friday night. With the loss, the Tribe falls to 6-2-1, 0-1-0 in CAA play, while the Huskies improve to 6-2-3, 1-0-0 in league action.
W&M just missed taking an early 1-0 lead in the second minute of the match. Junior Samantha Cordum came rushing down the left sideline with a full head of steam into the box. Cordum's shot was inches wide of the goal, and out of play.
Northeastern's first chance of the night came in the sixth minute. Kimberly Slade found some space and put a shot on target, but junior goalkeeper Caroline Casey was there for the save.
Both teams had a couple more opportunities before the end of the first half. The Tribe had the better of the chances with nearly back-to-back shots in the 26th and 27th minutes. Both junior Katie Johnston and freshman Rachel Moore each had shots go just wide.
Much like the first half the Tribe opened the second half with a pair of chances in the early stages. Sophomore Haley Kavanaugh pushed a shot high in the 46th minute. The Green and Gold's best looks of the night with back-to-back to shots in the 67th minute. Cordum cranked a shot off of the crossbar, just missing the goal. The rebound played right down to Kavanaugh, who had her header turned away by a Northeastern defender, earning a team save.
Following the near Tribe goal, Casey came up with a pair of huge stops to keep the match scoreless. In the 67th minute of the Kayla Cappuzzo fired a shot that was punched away by Casey. Then in the 70th minute, Cappuzzo had a one-on-one opportunity that Casey squared up perfectly and made the stop.
Northeastern found the game-winner with a goal in the 80th minute. Breeana Koemans sent in a corner kick, starting the threat. The ball rolled dangerously through the box, and around players feet, until Mackenzie Dowd got a piece of it and it rolled into the lower part of the net. Dowd's marker lifted the Huskies to a 1-0 lead.
The Huskies controlled the possession for the last 10 minutes of the match, limiting the Tribe without a shot. Northeastern took the final shot of the match with just over a minute of play, but it sailed wide.
NU held a 10-8 advantage in shots, including a 5-2 lead in shots on goal. Casey made three stops on the night for the Green and Gold, while Paige Burnett had one for Northeastern. Cordum fired a match-high three shots for the Tribe.
W&M is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 28 when they close out their home stand with a CAA match against Hofstra. Kickoff for the sustainability match is set for 2 p.m.
