(Photo Courtesy: Deanbulldogs.com)
FRANKLIN- With the season winding down, Dean was unable to prevail in a must-win matchup Friday, tying Saint Joseph’s College of Maine at home 1-1. With the draw, the Bulldogs move to 4-9-3 while the Monks move to 6-6-4.
In a highly competitive first half, spectacular defense keyed into both team’s early success. This was true for goaltending as well.
Throughout the progression of the first half, Bulldogs goalie Haley Gaunt came up huge for Dean many times, coming away with several impressive saves to keep the Monks scoreless early.
Dean turned their recent offensive struggles around in this game, creating numerous opportunities left and right. Strong communication and coordination by the Bulldogs paid off, resulting in frequent scoring opportunities.
Approaching the twenty-minute marker of the first half, Jazlyn Estrella broke the scoreless tie, scoring on a penalty kick off the Jazzy-Sztyler Magee foul.
With halftime near, Leila Weir of the Monks finally broke through Gaunt's stifling defense to even the score at one at thirty-seven minutes in, tying the game at one going into halftime.
Dean brought out the pressure early in the second half. With numerous chances at the net, but could not capitalize on the opportunities. On the Monks end, stellar defense had been their second-half strength, continuing through the final seconds.
With time winding down, neither team could produce late magic around the net, settling for the 1-1 tie at the end of regulation.
Following the game, Bulldogs Head Coach Ashley Marguda-Wood shared takeaways from the match which she looks to apply in her team’s final game. “Same game plan. Let’s go out, let's press hard. I just want them to have some fun.”
With the draw, Dean Women’s Soccer has been eliminated from playoff contention in the 2023 Great Northeast Athletics Conference (GNAC). The Bulldogs will play their final game of the season at home which will be their Senior Day matchup against Regis College on Tuesday, October 24th at 3:00 pm.