By Sean Savage
@SeanSav13
The Springfield College women’s soccer team tried to kick off a momentous season by securing its home opener against Western New England on Wednesday night; however, the buzzer at Brock-Affleck field sounded with a 2-2 scoreline.
The season’s significance derives from the Prides’ star-studded roster: the team returned four graduate students alongside rostering eight juniors and four seniors.
“Having those leaders are excellent,” said assistant coach Brendon Boates, who filled in as the head coach in the absence of Kristin Cannon.
“We also have 13 first-year players, so they need those players to help and bring them along.”
The Pride took the field with a veteran-laden starting 11, and the leadership was apparent as the match ensued.
Madison Daly, Gabby Scott and Maddie Daigneault – all graduate students – stood tall in the backline alongside senior captain Kate Minoudis, who all helped lead the team through ninety minutes of play.
“They’ve been here, they’ve done it, so they know how the program operates,” Boates said.
“They are all good players, but they are also good humans, too. They are good examples for our first years on and off the field, so it’s definitely a luxury.”
The four were able to contain the Golden Bears to having no genuine scoring chances in the first half.
Moreover, they were the catalysts for the Pride’s high line of confrontation, which forced the Golden Bears into many errors within their defensive third.
However, despite a solid defensive showing, the Pride couldn’t quite open the flood gates.
Twenty minutes into the game, fans were given goose bumps.
Kaitlyn Suller, a touted junior midfielder, won the ball in the middle of the pitch before sending first-year Mia Salmon in on goal down the flank with a beautiful pass. It was just Salmon and Bears’ keeper, Molly McLaughlin.
Salmon didn’t react in time, causing McLaughlin to slide – making the save – and sending the ball near the top of the box. Suller met the bouncing ball and struck a volley that flew over an empty net.
The memo about not finding the back of the net remained until the Pride’s final chance in the first half.
Peyton Knott earned her squad a corner with three minutes remaining after dancing by three Golden Bears down the right flank.
Mirabel Brunell delivered a low-driven corner that made its way to the middle of the box and found Ryan Prystowski, who slotted the game’s first goal in the bottom right corner.
At halftime, the Pride, who will face Williams at home on Sunday, only converted one of eight shots, presenting a feeling of déjà vu.
The Pride had 69 shots in its preliminary joust against Anna Maria while only netting five.
“It’s great to score five, but when you realize you’ve had 69 chances, it’s not the greatest thing in the world,” Boates said.
The missed opportunities came to haunt the Pride early in the second half, as in the 51st minute, the Golden Bears secured an equalizing goal.
Lindsay Reidy lofted the ball to Isabella Montalvo, who weaved through the Pride backline and tucked the chance away.
The tides continued to turn when Montalvo scored her brace off a bouncing ball that was struck at the top of Taryn Ryan’s box with just over half an hour remaining.
The shot sailed into the left side netting, leaving the crowd in awe.
“Our response to going down, I wasn’t sure how that was going to be,” Boates said.
That uncertainty would be answered eight minutes after the game’s third goal, as Suller was sent down the right wing from a dazzling backheel pass sent from Walker.
Suller curled the ball across the ball to Salmon, who was fouled inside the box.
Walker stepped up to the spot with the weight of the game on her shoulders.
The whistle blew, and Walker took four steps before meeting the ball with her right foot. The shot was rifled to the left, passing an outstretched McLaughlin and tying the game at two a piece.
The match puts the Pride at 1-0-1 on the season, as they continue to adjust without Cannon at the helm due to the birth of a newborn.
The timeline of Cannon’s return remains unknown.
“It’s an adjustment not soccer-wise, but in the back office stuff,” Boates said.
“I’ve been doing this [coaching] for 24 years. The soccer part is easy; it’s the other stuff that is hard.”
Photo: Springfield College Athletics