Women’s Soccer Downed by St. Bonaventure, 2-1

Links: Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Despite outshooting St. Bonaventure University by a 19-10 margin including a 13-6 disparity in the opening half, the Merrimack College women's soccer program suffered a 2-1 loss to the Bonnies on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts scored twice in the second half to open a 2-0 lead, but junior Katelyn Richardson trimmed the deficit in half with her first goal of the season, directly off a free kick in the 81^st minute. Merrimack put two more shots on frame in the final eight minutes, but the Bonnies prevented the equalizer to emerge victorious.

Merrimack makes its return home for its next contest, hosting Sacred Heart University in the program's first-ever Northeast Conference (NEC) game at Martone-Mejail Field. Kickoff has been moved up to 4 p.m. on campus.

The Basics
Score: St. Bonaventure 2, Merrimack 1
Records: Merrimack (1-5-0) | St. Bonaventure (4-4)
Location: Marra Complex | St. Bonaventure, N.Y.  

The Summary

• Merrimack controlled play in the first 45 minutes, attempting the day's first eight shots including four on frame. The Bonnies' keeper made four saves through the 25^th minute
• The hosts nearly scored in the 31^st minute, hitting the cross bar on a shot. The Warriors put two more shots on goal in the final 15 minutes of the half,
• In the second half, Merrimack held the Bonnies without a shot for the first 18 minutes, attempted three of its own and won a pair of corners. St. Bonaventure won a corner in the 70^th minute, and scored on a header directly off the corner to take a 1-0 lead
• Seven minutes later, the Bonnies added an insurance marker in the 77^th minute
• Richardson's long-range strike came in the 81^st minute, and came from approximately 30 yards out off a free kick
• From there, juniors Bridget Austin and Nicole Langlois put shots on goal, but both were saved

Stats & Figures

• Richardson scored two goals one year ago as a sophomore, and tallied the third of her career on Sunday
• Merrimack attempted a season-best 19 shots, and put a season-high 10 on frame
• Senior captain Erin Fulton made her sixth straight start between the pipes, and played the full 90 minutes for a second straight game. She finished the day with one save
• Langlois (5) and Austin (4) combined for nine of the team's 19 shots

Up Next
Originally set for a 7 p.m., kickoff Merrimack will now play at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon against Sacred Heart University. The contest marks Merrimack's first-ever NEC game on campus.