STATEN ISLAND, N.Y — The third-seeded Howard University women's soccer team saw its season come to a close Thursday night, falling 3–2 in double overtime to second-seeded Wagner College in the NEC Semifinal at Hameline Field. The Bison finish the year with a 9–7–3 overall record and a 7–2–2 mark in league play, while the Seahawks advance to the championship match at 10–2–6 (8–1–2 NEC).
Howard struck first late in the opening half after both teams traded limited chances early. In the 36th minute, junior forward
Alauna Rutland (Fairfax, Va.) found the back of the net to give the Bison a 1–0 advantage, finishing a chance created from sustained pressure inside the box. Junior goalkeeper
Trinity Knox (Atlanta, Ga.) kept the Seahawks scoreless through the half with two key saves, including a diving stop in the 27th minute to preserve the lead heading into halftime.
The action intensified after the break, with Wagner equalizing in the 56th minute when Alana Goldsmith converted to make it 1–1. Howard wasted no time in responding—just 36 seconds later,
Asia Mickens-Perez (Upper Marlboro, Md.) put the Bison back in front 2–1 with her fourth goal of the season. Both teams continued to battle for control, and while Howard's defense held strong, Wagner's Anayah Rivera delivered the equalizer in the 89th minute to send the match into overtime tied 2–2.
Neither side found the breakthrough in the first extra period. The Bison earned a pair of corners and nearly converted on a late look from senior
Jaileen De Freitas (Miramar, Fla.), whose shot missed just wide in the 99th minute. Knox continued her steady play in goal, organizing the backline through several Wagner attacks.
In the 106th minute, Wagner capitalized on a quick counterattack, as Izzy Gomez scored the golden goal to lift the Seahawks to a 3–2 win. Despite the setback, Howard showed resilience throughout the contest, pushing one of the league's top defenses to the limit.
Rutland and Mickens-Perez accounted for Howard's two goals, while
Gabriella Garcia-Terrell (Centreville, Va.) and
Mia Young (Sunrise, Fla.) were active in the midfield, helping create several of the team's four total shots. Knox made three saves in 105 minutes of action, anchoring the Bison defense.
Wagner held an 11–4 edge in total shots and a 6–2 advantage in shots on goal, while both teams earned five corner kicks apiece. The Bison committed 22 fouls compared to the Seahawks' 13 in a physical postseason matchup.
The Bison wrapped up an impressive campaign, finishing third in the NEC standings and earning their first conference semifinal appearance since joining the league. Garcia-Terrell led Howard offensively this season with nine goals and 19 points, while Mickens-Perez added four goals, and
Samantha James (Herndon, Va.) tallied three assists. In goal, Knox started 18 matches, posting three shutouts and a .97 goals-against average.
For more information on Howard University women's soccer, visit the official Howard Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
