KEENE, N.H. – It looked like the Keene State College women's soccer team would be defeated in their first Little East Conference matchup of the 2025 season, but with 44 seconds left,
Emily O'Connell tied the game up for KSC as she scored her second goal in as many games to secure a conference point for the Owls.
Records
- Keene State: 2-3-1 (0-0-1 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut State: 2-1-2 (0-0-1) LEC
How it Happened
The Warriors' attack was peppering the Owls' defense early on as
Riley Andriski, the Owls' goalkeeper, was forced to make three saves, along with a team save from
Giuliana Stolfi for KSC in the opening four minutes of the contest. KSC was on the attack the next 10 minutes of action, but the Warriors blocked a shot, and their goalkeeper Alex Ignatowicz saved the first shot that she saved in net for ECSU. For most of the rest of the opening first half, KCS continued to apply pressure on the offensive zone, but Ignatowicz saved both the shots on target from the Owls. The last shot on goal on the first half came from the Warriors following a corner kick with under five minutes before halftime. Arianna Tomassi sent the corner into the Owls' box where Elise Leccese headed it to Katelyn Herbert who one-timed a shot into the back of the net to put the Warriors up for a 1-0 lead heading into the half.
KSC opened the second half up with a great opportunity to tie the game up as a penalty kick was called on the Warriors. Ignatowicz shut that opportunity down quick as she stopped
Allison Kenyon's penalty shot four minutes into the second half to preserve the Warriors' lead for the moment. The Owls continued to apply the pressure the next 25 minutes to try to draw even, but their shots were not finding the target as only one of their seven shots found the target over the time span. Andriski tried her best to keep the Owls in the contest the rest of the contest as she saved the two shots on goal the Warriors had over the last 15 minutes of the contest. Andriski's saves paid off for KSC as they were eventually able to draw even with 44 seconds remaining late in the contest as
Mikayla Ryan sent the ball across the Warriors' box, finding
Emily O'Connell for the tying goal. Ignatowicz was unable to make the save as it deflected off her hands and trickled past the line for the Owls. KSC tried to tack on one more goal in the closing seconds, but it did not amount to anything as the teams tied the contest at one apiece and both picked up a point in LEC standings.
Inside the Box
- KSC moves to 17-19-5 in the all-time series between the two schools. KSC has gone 1-0-3 over the past four contests against the Warriors.
- Both Andriski and Ignatowicz made five saves in goal for their teams on the day, while each only allowing one goal.
- Both teams totaled 16 shots on the contest, with ECSU having the slight edge on shots on goal, 7-6, while both teams tied at five corners apiece.
- O'Connell matches her season total from 2024 with two goals already in just six games this season, coming in back-to-back games, being the game-winning goal, and game-tying goal.
Up Next
Keene State hits the road for their next contest as they travel to take on Colby-Sawyer College on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:00 PM.
Eastern Connecticut State returns home for their next contest as they host Westfield State University on Wednesday, September 17, at 4:00 PM.