Box Score BOSTON, Mass. – An early lead and gritty performance wasn't enough to hold the line for the Emerson Women's Soccer Team as they finished their run in the GNAC Tournament Sunday afternoon in a 2-1 loss to Emmanuel in the GNAC Quarterfinal round. The Lions close out their season with an 8-6-3 final overall record.
The Lions opened up the game with one for the highlight reel as Riana Odin launched a deep pass into Saints territory that Tayllar Righini went up and got a head on to knock it past Jessica D'Ottavio at 1:24 into the game.
The defense stepped up huge in the half as well, with Kara Pantano and Elizabeth Corti leading the Lions while Allie Altman making all five of her saves on the day in the first 45 minutes. The Lions kept pushing offensively as well, putting up six shots on the Saints, forcing two saves from D'Ottavio.
Headed into the second half up 1-0 the Lions looked paced to defend their lead as they pressured more on offense, outshooting the Saints six to five in the half. The Saints finally put up the equalizer though in the 69th minute as Kristen Baker set up Lindsey Garvey with a breakaway ball down the right side that she cranked to the far post and saw bounce in.
With the momentum, the Saints wasted no time in snaking the lead as they caught the Lions off-guard and putting another goal in a mere 50 seconds later as Shawn Crifo broke away to put one past the Lions and give Emmanuel the 2-1 lead.
The score would remain unchanged in the remaining 20 minutes even as the Lions kept the pressure up, making D'Ottavio have to put up five saves in the half to keep Emerson shutout in the second half and close out the win for the Saints.
With the loss the Lions close out their run in the GNAC Tournament and await to hear selection for the ECAC Tournament field.
