Box Score LYNDHURST, N.J. – An evenly matched game produced a predictable result, as the women's soccer teams from Caldwell College and host Felician College played to a 1-1 draw after two overtime periods in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action Wednesday night at the Lyndhurst Recreation Complex. Felician was competing in its 2013 home opener.
The Cougars (2-1-1, 1-0-1 CACC) struck early. Fewer than six minutes into the match, a corner kick by Caldwell senior Carissa Strye (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) found the foot of teammate Lauren Iuliucci (Franklinville, N.J./Delsea). With a single touch, Iuliucci volleyed the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Cougar lead.
Caldwell goalkeeper Robin Franchi (Sewell, N.J./Deptford) helped preserve the lead when Felician was awarded a penalty kick at 22:50. Franchi dove to her left to stop the try by Alysia Arcona (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown), then made another save when Arcona tried to stuff home the rebound. The visitors took the 1-0 edge into halftime.
A great hustle play by Arcona helped put Felician (1-2-1, 0-1-1) on the scoreboard in the opening minutes of the second period. The Golden Falcons played a ball down the middle of the field, and Arcona put pressure on Franchi, causing her to mishandle the ball. Arcona beat Franchi to the loose ball, and the junior keeper committed a foul against Arcona well inside the penalty area for another penalty kick.
Senior JoJo Pisani (Wyckoff, N.J./Hasbrouck Heights) took the ensuring try and buried the ball into the lower right corner to knot the score. Pisani has both of Felician's goals on the season.
The defenses took over from there. Felician had the best opportunity in the balance of regulation, but Arcona was stonewalled by Franchi on a straight-on shot from five yards. The Golden Falcons also had the first chance in overtime when, on a corner kick in the 91st minute, a header by Kristen Toropiw (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong) missed wide left.
But that was the only shot attempt of either extra session for the hosts. Caldwell got off three shots after regulation, and after its sixth corner kick of the night, was poised to take another one when time expired.
Franchi finished with six saves on the night. Golden Falcon sophomore Julia Sheridan (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Community) was credited with seven saves.
