The Chargers hosted the Franklin Pierce University Ravens as their senior day opponent and won, 18-7.
Prior to face-off, New Haven recognized nine players; Emma Cretella, Gianna Caprioli, Rylee Donnellan, Justine Doyle, Lindsey Belmonte, Katie Schenk, Rebecca Williams, Madeline Sage and Karly King.
New Haven’s offense scored seven goals in the first quarter. Within ten minutes of the game, Caprioli and Schenk both scored twice alongside an unassisted goal from King. The Ravens’ Erin Mcllroy was able to get a shot past Sage for Franklin’s Pierce first goal of the game. With under five minutes remaining, Belmonte and Lucy Shafer each added a goal to extend the Chargers lead, 7-1.
Schenk opened the second quarter with a strong goal for the Chargers followed by a goal from Summer Castiglione in a man-down situation. Mcllroy scored the second goal for Franklin Pierce, but New Haven had a quick turnaround as Sophia Devaney and Morgan Uzdanovich both scored a goal. Emily Ulmer scored the third goal for the Ravens before Schenk advanced the Chargers to a 12-3 lead entering halftime.
In the third quarter, the Chargers put four more goals past the Ravens’ goalkeeper, Katherine Hickey. Caprioli had an early goal in a man-up situation, where the offense had an extra player due to a penalty by the opposing team, followed by an unassisted goal from Helena Dunwoody. Caitlin Seleny kept the Chargers’ momentum alive as she scored off an assist from Caprioli followed by a goal from Belmonte. Franklin Pierce’s Hayley Hermsdorf scored the fourth goal for the Ravens in a man-up situation followed by a shot from Mcllroy to end the quarter.
In the final quarter, the Ravens had two early goals from Mcllroy, but it wasn’t enough to cut the deficit. Shortly after, Devaney scored her second goal of the night for the Chargers and with twenty seconds remaining in the match, Kaleigh Schaeffler scored the final goal of the game.
The Chargers finished the game with 44 shots against the Ravens’ 15. New Haven took possession 17 times, compared to Franklin Pierce’s nine. New Haven committed seven turnovers and had five saves.
After the win, the Chargers improve to an overall record of 12-4 and 9-1 in conference play. New Haven will be back in action Saturday as they compete in the Northeast-10 Championship Quarterfinal. Face-off is set for 1 p.m. at Kathy Zolad Stadium. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
