NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (September 28, 2023) - Howard University women's soccer (8-3-1, 3-1 NEC) saw its seven-game win streak snapped Thursday afternoon with a 2-1 loss to Central Connecticut State (6-4-1, 4-0 NEC).
HU came out fast and aggressive, putting the Blue Devil keeper to work early.
Senior Marli Berry (Orangevale, Calif.) nearly connected with the net in the third minute, but an agile keeper thwarted the near goal. Another shot just a minute later would go left before the Bison found their footing.
Junior standout Melea Earley (La Mirada, Calif.) opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Berry wrangled the ball from the Blue Devil back line and fed her a shot to put Howard up, 1-0.
The Bison held steady throughout the half, keeping Central Connecticut State (CCSU) to only four shots in the first 45 minutes and maintaining a 1-0 intermission lead.
The Blue Devils came out of the break with a new tenacity that soon found its way into the box.
Senior Giavanna Inzerillo (Manorville, N.Y.) put CCSU on the board with a shot left of the HU keeper. The Bison hindered four more shots from the Blue Devils before Aoife Horgan (Kerry, Ireland) made her mark on the pitch in the 83rd minute, giving Central Connecticut State a 2-1 lead.
The Bison fighting to balance the board nearly did so with seconds to spare when a corner kick found its way to senior Zaria Stevenson (Dallas), who took a quick header, forcing the keeper into a diving save.
Possession ended in a 50/50 split with the Bison holding a slight edge over the Blue Devils in shots (16-12), shots on goal (8-6), and corners (6-5).
Freshman goalie Trinity Knox (Atlanta) recorded four saves in the defeat.
The Bison return to action Sunday, October 1 when they host Stonehill College at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
