(Photo Courtesy: deanbulldogs.com)
FRANKLIN- In the Dean Bulldogs Women's Soccer team's return home after four games away, the University of Saint Joseph Blue Jays defeated Dean 4-1 at Grant Field. With the loss, Dean drops to 3-7-2 while the University of Saint Joseph improves to 8-4-2.
Kelsi Ursini wasted no time for the Blue Jays, scoring one minute in, to put her team up 1-0 early.
Following the quick goal, the Blue Jays kept the pressure going around Dean’s net, creating many more chances to extend their one-goal lead. Following the 1-0 deficit, Dean’s strong efforts on defense prevented further scoring from the Blue Jays offense.
Twenty minutes in, Alan Picard‘s shot bounced off the crossbar and down, initially ruled no goal having not crossed the line. After a brief discussion by the two officials, the controversial call was overturned to a goal, extending the Blue Jays lead to 2-0.
Throughout the first half, Dean encountered many opportunities to break through but was unsuccessful in sneaking one through the net.
Around the 31-minute mark of the first half, Elizabeth Garlock added to the Blue Jays lead after scoring on net via Ursini’s assist. Dean would trail the Blue Jays 3-0 at halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Blue Jays offense appeared to cool off at the start of the second half. While the Blue Jays hoped to regain dominant first-half offense, Dean had still been trying to find it on their end.
52 minutes into the match, Jelly Frigo’s goal made it 4-0, scoring on another assist by Kelly Ursini, her second of the game.
Despite the rough go offensively for the Bulldogs, Dean avoided the shutout. After a miss by Lea Bettencourt on her penalty kick, Nina Medeiros scored on the rebound counting for Dean’s lone goal of the afternoon.
Following the late goal, Dean was unable to gain full momentum and spark a comeback.
With the offensive struggles continuing again Saturday, Bulldogs Head Coach Ashely Magruda-Wood spoke about the performance after being asked about the concern.
"Just our forwards looking to connect, looking to play getting on the end of the through balls,” Coach Magruda-Wood responded regarding the offensive effort.
In an important stretch of games to follow, Dean will head back on the road to face Rivier University on Wednesday, October 18th at 7:00 pm.