Women's Soccer Stages Late Comeback to Take Down CCSU

Sunday, August 27

New Britain, Conn.

2 p.m.

Brown University

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Central Connecticut State

1-2-0, 0-0-0

Brown

Central Conn. St.

Women's Soccer Stages Late Comeback to Take Down CCSU

8/27/2023 6:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Brown women's soccer team scored three goals in the final 15 minutes of action to earn the comeback victory, 4-3, over Central Connecticut State Sunday afternoon.

"I was disappointed with how we showed up today," head coach Kia McNeill said. "We came out flat, and really didn't show up in the first half. Credit to CCSU, because they made some adjustments based on scouting our game on Friday and just had a bit more bite than us.

The silver lining is our team showed unbelievable resilience to come back and score three goals with 15 minutes left. I think that shows a tremendous amount of character and leadership. It's great to be 2-0 on opening weekend, and even through those wins we know we have work to do."

The Bears struck first off the foot of freshman Joy Okonye, who continued her strong start to her collegiate career following two assists in Brown's opener. Brittany Raphino led her down the middle of the field off a long pass and Okonye did the rest, beating the defender and goalie to take the 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.

But the Blue Devils would answer back almost immediately to tie the game at one. Then, in the 32nd minute, the home team was awarded a penalty kick, which they converted to take the 2-1 lead.

Just two minutes into the second half, CCSU doubled its lead at 3-1.

With things looking dire, the Bears began to stage their comeback.

In the 76th minute, Raphino received a pass from Ava Seelenfreund just outside the 18, drove towards the baseline to beat her defender, and sent a cross skidding across the turf towards goal. The CCSU goalie was able to get a hand on it, but wasn't able to control it, as Miya Grant-Clavijo came crashing in and was able to force the ball across the line.

Then, just six minutes later, Sheyenne Allen sent a high cross into the box that found Hayley Houston. Houston's header went off the crossbar and Grant-Clavijo was there again to collect the rebound and tie the game.

Finally, with just three minutes remaining, Okonye ran onto a loose ball and took all the space the defense gave her. She led Kira Maguire into the 18 with a pass. Maguire collected the ball, took one touch around a defender, and fired a left-footed shot back across the face of goal to give Brown the 4-3 lead.

The Bears were able to kill the rest of the clock to improve to 5-0-1 all-time against the Blue Devils.

On the day, Brown outshot CCSU 17-9 and earned seven corners to their five.

Brown will remain on the road this Thursday, Aug. 31 to take on Providence at 6:30 p.m.

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