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The Yale women’s soccer team asserted its dominance this past weekend, doubling their winning streak to four. On Thursday, the Bulldogs and head coach Brendan Faherty journeyed north for a gritty 2–1 victory over Northeastern in double overtime. The Elis then returned to Reese Stadium for a brilliant Sunday match against Central Connecticut State, resulting in a 3–0 win.
The Elis (6–2–0, 0–0–0 Ivy) fought long and hard to secure the win against the Huskies (3–6–0, 0–0–0 Colonial). Yale found the back of the net first, but the Huskies slowed the Bulldog attack and found an equalizer midway through the second period. The battle continued into a second period of extra time, until forward Lydia Shaw ’21 got the golden goal to end the game in the 105th minute. The Bulldogs’ second fixture of the week was more smooth sailing against the Blue Devils (2–3–4, 0–0–1 Northeastern). Yale decisively settled the game with three goals and its second clean sheet of the season.
“The mentality of this team is amazing; even when we concede goals, we bounce back and continue to battle on all ends of the field,” captain and goalkeeper Alyssa Fagel ’20 said.
On Thursday, the Huskies surged forward with aggressive offensive play from the outset of the game. Within the first 20 minutes, the hosts forced Fagel to make two saves. The quick pace of the game did not let up, with Northeastern outshooting the Bulldogs 6–3 in the first half. However, the Yale side stayed composed. In the 33rd minute, the Elis’ patience paid off, as midfielder Sarah Jordan ’21 headed in a corner from striker Chloe Laureano ’23 to give Yale the advantage. It was Jordan’s first goal of the season.
The Blue and White tried to build on its lead, working to create dangerous chances throughout the second half. Nevertheless, it was the Huskies who threatened first, piling on the pressure against Fagel and the Yale defense with another strong shot on goal. Striker Aerial Chavarin ’20 pushed Husky keeper Megan Adams into making a fine save from a corner kick. Minutes later, Chelsea Domond found an equalizer for NU with a rocket from just outside of the box. Both goalies came up with big saves within the last ten minutes of regular playing time. During the first OT period, Ellery Winkler ’23 nearly scored, but Adams fended her strike off. In the second OT period, Winkler found Shaw with a perfect cross, which Shaw converted for the game-winner, 2–1.
“It was great for our group to pull out a win on the road in overtime against a very good Northeastern team,” Faherty said. “It was a game with some large momentum swings, but our student-athletes continued to work hard and were rewarded for their efforts.”
On Sunday, Yale bested Central Connecticut State 3–0 in an exciting home match. Just seven minutes in, the Bulldogs took the lead with a goal from Laureano, assisted by midfielder Noelle Higginson ’20. The Elis carried over their aggression from Thursday’s game, outshooting the Blue Devils 8–4 in just the first half. At halftime, the Elis led 1–0, but charged back on the field for the second frame ready to fight for more.
But it was CCSU who sought to stamp their authority after the break, keen on restricting Yale’s space to make plays. Almost immediately, the Blue Devils had their first shot on goal that was quickly saved by Fagel. Midway through the second half, the Elis found the back of the net again with a goal by Higginson, assisted by Winkler. Yale continued taking shots on goal throughout the half, supported by a solid defense. Their hard work was rewarded 10 minutes after the second tally, as the Bulldogs solidified their 3–0 win with a goal by Winkler –– her fifth of the season so far –– assisted by striker Mia Grillo ’21.
“The CCSU game is big because we know how good they are and know our recent history against them isn’t great,” Fagel said before the match. “With this being our last game [before we go] against Princeton, we are eager for another strong result and hoping to be effective in all areas of the game that we have been focused on these past five weeks.”
Yale kicks off its conference season with a trip to Princeton, a perennial Ivy powerhouse, on Saturday. The Bulldogs will look to reverse the result of last year’s game, which saw the Tigers prevail, 3–0.
Alessa Kim-Panero | alessa.kim-panero@yale.edu
Esther Reichek | esther.reichek@yale.edu .