MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College women's soccer team battled to a scoreless draw against Bridgeport in non-conference play on Wednesday afternoon. Despite the 0-0 score, the Hawks outshot the Purple Knights 25-10 in the match.
UP NEXT:
- Saint Anselm is back on the road next week, traveling to Rindge, N.H. to take on in-state rival and nationally ranked No. 24 Franklin Pierce on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Score: Saint Anselm 0, Bridgeport 0
Records: Saint Anselm (3-2-3); Bridgeport (2-3-3)
Location: Manchester, N.H. (Melucci Field)
Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Attendance: 102
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Saint Anselm was all over Bridgeport early in the first half. Fifth-year senior Tara McCleary (Quincy, Mass.), seniors Riley DiGilio (Danvers, Mass.) and Sydney Wnek (Haverhill, Mass.), and freshman Meghan Deneen (Marlborough, Mass.) all attempted shots on frame for the Hawks, but Purple Knights goalkeeper Angelina Griva was able to keep the hosts off the scoreboard.
- The Hawks attempted eight shots and earned a corner kick before the Purple Knights registered their first shot in the 22nd minute, which was not on frame.
- In the 23rd minute, DiGilio had a crack at goal for Saint Anselm, but Griva collected it for Bridgeport to keep the game scoreless.
- A few minutes later, freshman goalkeeper Samantha Swidorski (Woodbury, Minn.) made her first save of the game for the Hawks after denying a shot by Leigh-Ann Ramsay.
- DiGilio nearly found the back of the net once again in the 34th minute, but her shot hit the right post.
- The best look of the first half for either team came with under five minutes remaining when senior Allison Silverstein (Concord, N.H.) weaved through several defenders on the dribble and got deep inside the penalty box, but Griva was able to corral her shot attempt as the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
- Ramsay produced a quality chance for Bridgeport in the opening minute of the second half. Her shot had Swidorski beat, but the ball bounced off the crossbar and was cleared away.
- Despite giving up an early opportunity, the Hawks continued their offensive pressure and regained control of the match after that. They earned another pair of corners and ripped three more shots, one of which was put on goal by Wnek, but could not find the back of the net.
- At the other end, Jasmine Liddell put another shot on target for the Purple Knights, but Swidorski was able to grab her second save of the match.
- In the 61st minute, sophomore Daniella Atherton (Milford, Mass.) got past a defender and dribbled into the penalty box for Saint Anselm. Before she could get off a cross or shot, Atherton was pulled from behind and a penalty kick was awarded to the Hawks. Senior Josie Pecor (Williston, Vt.) stepped up to take the shot, but Griva came up with a huge diving save to her right to keep the game tied.
- That save sparked Bridgeport, who quickly worked their way down to the offensive end and attempted five more shots over the next few minutes of action.
- The final scoring opportunity of the game came with about five minutes remaining. Saint Anselm worked a beautiful combination of passes through the middle of the field before entering the box. The ball found junior Zarina Pinto (Groveland, Mass.) on the left side, but her shot was stopped once again by Griva and the game ended in a scoreless draw.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Saint Anselm outshot Bridgeport 25-10 in the match and held an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Hawks had eight corner kicks compared to four for the Purple Knights.
- Both teams committed five fouls in the game and there were no cards issued.
- Swidorski made three saves in goal for Saint Anselm to earn her first collegiate shutout. Griva made 11 saves in goal for Bridgeport including a penalty kick stop in the 61st minute.
- DiGilio led the Hawks with three shots on goal, while McCleary and Wnek each registered two shots on target.
- This marked the 10th all-time meeting between Saint Anselm and Bridgeport. The Hawks are now 2-3-5 against the Purple Knights in the series that began in 1998.
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