MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College women's soccer team lost to Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent Wentworth, 3-1, on Saturday night at the Walter M. Katz Field. The Colonels fell to 5-2 overall and 0-2 in the CCC. The Leopards improved to 5-2 on the season and 1-1 in the CCC.
The Leopards wasted no time taking an early lead as they opened the game with a goal just 34 seconds in. Junior Valeria Zapata (Pawtucket, R.I.) dribbled the ball from the 20-yard line and through the Colonel defenders. Curry's sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Stott (Dartmouth, Mass.) came out to meet Zapata but before she could challenge her for a save, Zapata blasted it into the top-right corner of the net. Just about two minutes later, freshman Emily Richard (Freemont, N.Y.) ripped a shot that just sailed over the goal post. The Colonels' sophomore Kelly Parker (Branford, Conn.) had a chance of her own when she took a shot that went just wide of the net. Wentworth took back control of the ball and had in Curry's defensive zone for over four minutes. Richard had another nice shot but once again missed the net. The Colonels' took the goal kick but the Leopards retrieved it. The ball was inside the 18-yard box and Curry couldn't seem to clear it out. Zapata took advantage and collected the loose ball right in front of the net. The junior earned her second tally of the night after placing it low into the back of the net. With Wentworth leading 2-0 just 10:13 into the half, Curry tried to get some momentum going and get on the board themselves. They struggled to regain possession and with 23:30 remaining before the break, the Leopards extended their lead to 3-0. Stott caused a foul on Zapata inside the box which resulted in a penalty-kick. Zapata was forced to leave due to an injury. Senior Olivia Moore (Salem, Conn.) was awarded the PK and one-timed it over the head of Stott. The Colonels outshot the Leopards 3-2 over the final minutes, but Wentworth's senior goaltender Beverly Farris (Palmer, Mass.) was strong between the pipes stopping all three shots to keep Curry scoreless.
The Colonels came out strong to start the second half. Despite the Leopards having a chance on a corner kick followed by a wide shot, it took Curry just one for them to put their own up on the board. Parker sent junior Taylor Evans (Middleton, Mass.) a through pass and from the corner of the box, Evans struck the ball hard and over the head of Farris. The tally sparked the Colonels and momentum shifted but Curry couldn't capitalize on their chances in hopes of a tie or win. Wentworth kept the pressure on Stott but she made five saves to shut down the Leopards offense.
The Colonels finished with nine shots and four corner kicks. The Leopards finished with 19 shots and two corner kicks.
Stott made nine saves in goal for Curry in the loss. Farris made four saves in net for Wentworth in the win.
Curry returns to action on Tuesday, September 23 when they host Fitchburg State at 7:00 p.m. Wentworth will host WPI also on Tuesday, September 23 in a 7:00 p.m. game start.
