Pascuet Equalizes Late, Rider Ties Fairfield
FAIRFIELD, CT – Valeria Pascuet (Bunuel, Navarra, Spain/San Fermin Ikastola) scored the equalizer in the 90th minute as the Rider University women’s soccer team tied Fairfield, 1-1, Wednesday night on the road. With the tie, the Broncs move to 5-3-2 (1-1-1 MAAC), while the Stags are now 5-4-2 (0-1-2 MAAC).
Following a scoreless first half, Fairfield was awarded a penalty kick in the 79th minute. Liz Dumas converted for her second goal of the year, staking the Stags to a 1-0 lead. But with just 28 seconds left, Pascuet equalized, collecting a Sarah Gellert (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) pass at the top of the box before beating Fairfield keeper Aytana Muschajew low inside the right post.
Both teams generated two shots in overtime, but neither could score, settling for a point each in league play.
Quotes and Notes
“This was a very challenging game given the circumstances so to come away with a point is OK, although a little disappointing. We created a lot of good chances but were caught offside too many times. It is something we can focus on improving.” - Rider Head Coach Drayson Hounsome
- The Stags now lead the all-time series, 17-6-2.
- The home team had won the last five games in the series between Rider and Fairfield.
- Rider is now 2-2-2 this season when the opponent scores first.
- The assist was Gellert’s first collegiate point.
Broncs By The Numbers
- The goal was Pascuet’s fourth of the year. Entering the season, she had just two goals through two years, one each in 2016 and 2017. Pascuet (4 goals, 4 assists) pulled into a tie with Kourtney Cunningham (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) (5 goals, 2 assists) for the team lead with 12 points.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Carmen Carbonell (Valencia, Spain/Guadalaviar School) made four saves in the tie. It was the first game this season that she played more than 39 minutes and made fewer than seven saves.
- Rider took a 20-18 edge in shots, including a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Stags held a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
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