NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (October 22, 2023) - Howard University women's soccer dropped its final road match of the regular season with Sunday afternoon's 3-2 loss to Merrimack College (MC).
 
Despite the loss, the Bison clinched their first-ever berth into the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament.
 
The Bison came out fierce, putting a shot on goal in the first minute. Merrimack kicked up the tenacity, putting seven shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes of play.
 
With 10 short-ended attempts between the two teams, the first half ended scoreless.
 
Eager to open the scoring, team captain junior Melea Earley (La Mirada, Calif.) sent one to the net in the 49^th minute, but the Warrior in goal was ready for the save – deflecting it to yet another Bison.
 
Ready to play clean-up, sophomore Jaileen De Freitas (Miami) saw her opportunity and took a shot to the low left of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
 
Just three minutes later, Earley and Kyra Bolden (Mclean, Va.) would lock in with newcomer Asia Mickens-Perez (Upper Marlboro, Md.) to extend the gap, 2-0.
 
The Bison kept the healthy edge over the Warriors until the 73^rd minute when Merrimack shot one into the top left region of the goal, just out of reach from the keeper, 2-1.
 
Less than three minutes later, MC worked its way back into Bison territory before equaling the board, 2-2.
 
Capitalizing on their late momentum, the Warriors secured the golden goal in the 84^th minute with a shot up high in the center of the net.
 
Women's soccer is back in action Thursday, October 26, at 3 p.m., when they face Saint Francis on Senior Day.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.