Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – After battling back late in the second half, the Merrimack College women's soccer program fell to American International Wednesday night, 2-1.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 1, AIC, 2 | Final
Records: Merrimack (3-2-1) |AIC (5-2-1)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.
How It Happened
- Merrimack had a great chance early in the first half. Just five minutes in, a cross from senior Tori Daigle was placed perfectly inside the six, but AIC keeper Mikayla Demanche dove across the six to stop the free ball from any danger.
- AIC was able to use the counter in the first half, and almost got away with a quick first goal. A ball bent in from the right side of the 18 yard box was put on frame, but a great save from Fulton kept the game level.
- In the 20th minute, Daigle threw another ball inside the six; this time, Damanche got just enough of it to throw off the shot from freshman Izzy McDonnell.
- With under 15 minutes left in the first half, a flurry of opportunities were put inside the box, but Demanche came off her line in critical situations to keep the match scoreless.
- AIC nearly snuck a goal in to start the second half. A ball strung down the 18 was played by Fulton, but a bad hop popped the ball through the hands of the keeper. Senior Emily Maier was there to eventually clear the ball out.
- Both teams resorted to shots from deep through the middle of the second half; each defense did an exceptional job locking down the box despite the heavy number of shots.
- Just before the 75th minute, a Yellow Jacket long ball broke the stalemate. After Annina Sankoh dropped the ball to Federica Frew, a shot from 35 yards out caught Fulton off her line and found the back of the net.
- A goalkeeper change brought sophomore Megan Langlois into the game, who had to make two big saves off the bench.
- AIC doubled their lead in the 80th minute. A loose ball inside the box found the foot of Jacinda McCartney, who buried it to double the lead.
- Less than two minutes later, the Warriors cut it in half. A beautiful ball up from freshman Meghan Blanchette found the foot of Izzy McDonnell. A shot from just outside the 18 rippled the right side of the net to give the Warirors some life.
Inside The Numbers
- Nine of the 12 shots from American International found the frame.
- Only twelve fouls were committed between both teams through the duration of the game.
- Keeper records: Junior Erin Fulton (L, 3-3-1) // Mikayla Demanche (W, 5-2-1)
- Shots (SOG): MER – 11 (6) // AIC 12 (9)
- Corners: MER – 3 // AIC – 2
Up Next
The Warriors are on the road Saturday, September 29, taking on Pace at 5 p.m.
