ABREU LIFTS REGIS OVER BECKER IN 2-1 DOUBLE OVERTIME THRILLER

WESTON, Mass. – Sophomore forward Kristen Abreu (Woburn, Mass.) scored in the fourth minute of the second overtime, as the Regis College Pride handed the Hawks of Becker College a 2-1 loss in New England Collegiate Conference women's soccer action on Saturday afternoon at Regis Stadium. The Pride, who improve to 9-2-3 (6-1-2 NECC) with the win, have secured the right to host in the first round of the NECC playoffs next week. The Hawks, who have also clinched an NECC playoff berth, fall to 8-6-3 (6-2-1 NECC).

Prior to the match, the Pride celebrated Senior Day and honored the playing careers of senior tri-captains Michelle Sirois (Easton, Mass.), Melissa Choz (Leicester, Mass.), and Kara Donovan (Woburn, Mass.). The three classmates were walked onto the field by their family members as a few words about each player from Coach Conant were announced.

Following the brief ceremony, the first half of the game got underway. Both Becker and Regis had several good looks to get on the board in the first 45 minutes of play, but neither team was able to capitalize. The Pride outshot the Hawks by an 11-4 margin as each squad headed into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

At the 65:43 mark, the Crimson and Gold finally broke through off a brilliant strike from freshman Devinne Aquadro (Sturbridge, Mass.). The midfielder found herself with some space and unleashed a shot from 30 yards out that sailed into the top right corner of the net to give Regis the go-ahead goal.

With time on the clock winding down, it looked as if the Pride were going to come away with the victory. But Becker would not back down. The Hawks scored the equalizer with just under four minutes to play in regulation. Senior Jodi Theriault (Woodstock, Conn.) played a high ball in the air off a corner kick, which found classmate Caroline Plunkett (Belle Harbor, N.Y.). Plunkett leaped over a Regis defender and headed the ball into the right siding of the net to tie the game at one goal apiece.

After playing to a scoreless first overtime, Abreu would go on to score the golden goal at the 103:09 mark in the second overtime period. The sophomore received a great through ball from Aquadro and calmly placed a well-struck ball that went over goalkeeper Kaitlyn Rose (North Attleboro, Mass.) and into the net to seal the 2-1 victory.

Rose finished the game with nine saves, while Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) made five stops for the Pride.

Regis will be back in action on Tuesday, October 30th as the Pride will host an NECC Quarterfinal matchup at 4:00 p.m. with an opponent to be determined. Becker will also play in an NECC Quarterfinal game next Tuesday, with time and opponent to be determined.