Welch and Lloyd Lead Blue Devils to 3-2 Home Victory Over Holy Cross

Senior Beth Lloyd scored the game-winning goal in the second half and freshman Keriann Welch scored twice in the first half to lead the Central Connecticut women's soccer team to a 3-2 home victory over Holy Cross on Tuesday. The two goals were the first of Welch's career and the goal by Lloyd was her first of the season. Central returns to action on Friday night playing Columbia at the University of Hartford at 5 p.m.

Welch scored both of her goals in the first half, giving the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead just 8:11 into the game. Her first goal game on an assist from Nathalie Nilsson, the first points of the season for both players, and gave Central the 1-0 lead.

Her second goal came just minutes later, at 8:11, and gave Central the two goal edge. The Holy Cross goalkeeper misplayed a kick from just outside her own net and sent it to Welch. She beat Ashlyn Angell to the left side of the goal for her second goal of the game and the 2-0 lead.

Holy Cross wasted little time answering, and tied the game at 2-2 at 19:51 of the first half. Shelby Stand scored the first goal to cut the lead to one at 17:23. Just over two minutes later Maura Fox took a corner kick from Stand to tie the game at 2-2.

Lloyd's first goal of the season was the game-winner for the Blue Devils in the second half. She took a feed from Nilsson on a free kick and headed the ball past the Holy Cross keeper for the victory.

Holy Cross outshot the Blue Devils 11-8 in the match. Freshman goalkeeper Nikola Deiter made five saves to earn her first collegiate victory for CCSU. Angell made one save in goal for the visitors in the loss.

Central returns to action on Friday night playing Columbia at the University of Hartford at 5 p.m. They also play at Hartford on Sunday against LaSalle beginning at 11 a.m.