Women’s Soccer Controls Play in Second Half, Falls at Villanova, 1-0

Sunday, September 22

Villanova, PA

1:00 PM

Brown University

6-1-1

Villanova University

4-3-2

Brown

Villanova

Women’s Soccer Controls Play in Second Half, Falls at Villanova, 1-0

9/22/2019 4:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Bears held wide advantages in shots (8-2) and corner kicks (8-2) for the match behind sustained pressure in the second half, but Brown University women's soccer fell at Villanova University, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Higgins Soccer Complex.

The Bears (6-1-1) increased their attacking pressure in the second half, leading in shots (7-1) and corners (8-1) in the period but could not equalize after the host Wildcats (4-3-2) scored in the 10^th minute.

"We came out flat today and Villanova got a goal on us early," Brown head coach Kia McNeill said. "It was a tale of two halves – they were dominant in the first, and we were in the second. The keeper made some good saves, but we didn't do enough to equalize and get ourselves back in the game."

The Bears – 8-1-1 over their last nine games – have still allowed just two goals (0.25 per game) on the season.

"This loss doesn't take anything away from the team and what we've been able to do this season," McNeill said. "Facing a bit of adversity before Ivy play is good – it forces us to look at ourselves closer to determine how we can be better."

Brown – ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll and No. 2 in the New England Soccer Journal Rankings – closed its shutout streak at 603:51. The streak stretched over eight matches and six shutouts and stands as the second longest shutout streak in program history behind the 1984 team's 10 straight clean sheets.

Opening the second half, Brown earned a pair of corner kicks in the first five minutes of the stanza, beginning a period of increased pressure on the Villanova defense that lasted throughout the remainder of the contest.

In the 64^th minute, freshman Ava Seelenfreund (Truckee, Calif.) nearly broke through for the Bears with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a cross from fellow rookie Brittany Raphino (Randolph, Mass.). In the ensuing five minutes, the Bears won three more corners with a shot from sophomore Rebecca Rosen (Port Washington, N.Y.) moving just wide off a corner in the 67^th minute.

Brown created several chances in the final 20 minutes with junior Star White (Norfolk, Va.) having a shot blocked in the 73^rd minute, freshman Sheyenne Allen (Bear, Del.) putting a shot just over the crossbar in the 77^th minute, and Rosen having a shot blocked in the 88^th minute. Sophomore Maesyn G'Bye (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) played a pair of corners into the mixer inside of the contest's final three minutes before the final buzzer.

Brown junior goalkeeper Kayla Thompson (Austin, Texas) made one save in the contest while Villanova's Rebecca Gartner stopped two shots.

On the game's scoring play, Villanova struck at the 9:57 mark as Brice McInroy scored off a feed from Allison Breed. Breed brought the ball along the right end line and slipped a cross in front to McInroy who slid a shot into the right side of the goal. The two teams largely played between the two penalty areas for the duration of the first half with each side posting one shot in the opening 45 minutes.

Next, Brown begins Ivy League play with a home match against Dartmouth on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+) at Stevenson-Pincince Field.

Video of all Brown women's soccer home contests and all Ivy League games, home and away, will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Tickets for all Brown women's soccer games can be purchased online, by calling the Brown Athletics Ticket Office at (401) 863-2773, or by walking up to the box office located in the Pizzitola Sports Center, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.