Greg Fitzpatrick
Staff Writer
The Springfield College women’s soccer team couldn’t break a 0-0 tie with the Babson Beavers this afternoon in a NEWMAC showdown.
The Pride’s best shot at winning the game came with 50 seconds left in the second overtime. Sophomore midfielder Krissy Cicalis appeared to put one in the net past Babson goalie Melina Kapotsis, but Beaver defender Jennifer Narlee cleared it away inches from the goal line.
Springfield and Babson both played great defense, but couldn’t execute their chances on offense. The Pride took control of both overtimes, controlling the momentum for the majority of the extra time. Most of Babson’s chances came in regulation.
At the very start of the game, the Beaver’s Jenny Moore took a shot on Kapotsis that went just right. Several minutes later, the Pride’s Ashley Carresi bended a shot that went just right of the net with 13:35 remaining in the first half. The back-and-forth play continued throughout the game.
In the second half, the intensity went up a notch. Cicalis juked out a few Babson defenders with some flashy moves and made a shot on net (34:40). At the 28:15 mark, Carresi took a free kick that deflected over the net.
The Beavers had a solid opportunity with 16:00 remaining in the second half when there was a loose ball right in front of the Pride goal with goalie Sarah Myers clearly out of reach. The ball continued to roll towards the net with the Babson forwards on the prowl, but sophomore midfielder Jessica Miller cleared the ball away just in time.
The last chance for either squad was for Babson, but Springfield freshman defender Brianna Messier cleared the ball out of reach.
The Pride beat Babson in total shots taken with 16, while Babson tallied only five. Myers only had to make two saves, while Babson goalies Kapotsis and Meaghan Merullo combined for five saves total.
Moving forward, the Pride head to Smith College on Tuesday for yet another NEWMAC game. Babson will prepare to play Wellesley on Tuesday as well.
With the tie, Springfield is 6-3-1 and Babson is at 7-2-2.