New Britain, Conn. (November 2, 2014) – Trailing 1-0 with less than 25 minutes left in regulation, junior Sam Manson scored the game-tying goal on a 67th minute free kick to help the Mount St. Mary's women's soccer team secure a 1-1 tie versus Central Connecticut State on the road in Sunday's season finale.

Despite a number of CCSU chances, the backline for the Mount (2-16-1, 1-6-1 NEC) was able to hold the Blue Devils (9-5-4, 4-2-2 NEC) to just one goal thanks to the play of goalkeepers Rachel Bourne and Vicky Cocozza. Bourne notched five first-half saves before Cocozza tied a career high with 13 saves in the second half and overtime. The Mount also added a team save to combine for 19 saves, which are the most for the program since registering 19 in a 1-0 win over Monmouth on Nov. 4, 2007.

Kelly Halligan put the home side in front with a goal in the 20th minute off a failed Mount St. Mary's clear. First-half shots were even at 9-9, but the Mount could not solve CCSU goalkeeper Nikki Turley, who made seven of her 10 saves in the first half.

After a flurry of shots for the Blue Devils to begin the second half, Mount Head Coach Tom Gosselin turned to his bench, inserting Manson into the game in the 63rd minute. Just four minutes later after a CCSU foul, the substitution proved wise as Manson beat Turley to the upper left-hand corner of the goal on a free kick from the top of the box in the 67th minute. It was Manson's first goal of the season and second of her career.

Both sides fired shots the rest of the way but were not able to find the back of the net in regulation.

In the two 10-minute overtime periods, CCSU took nine shots to the Mount's one. Cocozza was up to the task, however, with five overtime saves to preserve the draw.

The Blue Devils, which held a 32-14 edge on shots on the afternoon, were led on offense by seven shots by Tori Sousa and five from Christina Boucher. For the Mountaineers, junior Emma Blair and senior Alicia Mirandoregistered three shots apiece to pace the offense.

GAME NOTES: Sunday marked the final game in the careers of Mount St. Mary's seniors MacKenzie Buckwalter,Kristina Caravelli, Cara Deegan, Alicia Mirando and Paige Peck. 

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