Women's Soccer Defeats FDU in NEC Action on Friday Afternoon

The Central Connecticut women's soccer team defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 2-0 on Friday afternoon. Sophomore Annie Freer had her first goal of the season for the Blue Devils, who improve to 9-8-1 overall and 5-3-1 in Northeast Conference play.

The teams played to a scoreless first half, and the Blue Devils managed the only shot on goal in the period. Senior Beth Lloyd's shot was saved by Fairleigh Dickinson goalkeeper Stephanie Austion. The Central defense held the Knights without a shot of any kind in the first half.

Fairleigh Dickinson had its only scoring chance of the match when forward Rashidah Sherman lofted a high shot over freshman goalkeeper Nikola Deiter's head, but the shot bounced high off the turf and cleared the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.

The Blue Devils scored their first goal of the match on a corner kick in the 87th minute. Senior Beth Lloyd's kick found the head of sophomore Annie Freer and following a kick by freshman Kerrianne Welch the ball was finally deflected into the net by Freer.

The Blue Devils iced the game in the 89th minute when Lloyd found freshman Allison Kelley who beat the keeper to the low right corner. The goal was the third of the season for Kelley and Freer's goal was the first of her Blue Devil career.

The win keeps the playoff hopes alive for the Blue Devils, and gives them 16 points in league action. They entered the match in fifth place, with the top four teams in the league advancing to next week's NEC Tournament.

The Blue Devils conclude the regular season at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. They will host Sacred Heart on Senior Day. Prior to the game the team will honor the six seniors playing on their home field for the final time in their careers.