Philadelphia, Pa. – (March 18, 2021) – After a month away from the pitch, the Fordham Rams were able to get back to play on Thursday night with their Atlantic 10 women's soccer opener against the Saint Joseph's Hawks at Finnessy Field in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the return to the field came up short in a 2-0 decision in favor of the Hawks.
The two squads played an even first half with only one shot recorded. That shot came from Fordham's
Cambrie Arboreen in the 27
th minute and was stopped by Hawks goalkeeper Kristen Rivera.
In the second half, Saint Joseph's struck for the opening goal n the 53
rd minute. Sofia Filippo crossed the ball from the left side of the box to near the penalty spot, where Aleksa Peev scored to the left side of the net.
Maria O'Sullivan
Fordham looked to answer back just two minutes later after a foul call just outside the box on the right side.
Alexandra Taylor lifted a cross in that found the head of
Emma Johnson, but the ball just sailed over the crossbar.
The Rams kept it a one-goal game in the 65
th minute, when Filippo got a shot off on the right side of the box, but Fordham goalkeeper
Maria O'Sullivan cut the angle down and deflected the attempt away.
Fordham continued to press to find the equalizer with the next chance in the 67
th minute on a shot from distance, courtesy of
Hope Baisley, but again Rivera was there for the stop.
The Hawks then took a two-goal lead in the 78
th minute, as Filippo was sent in on O'Sullivan, where O'Sullivan stopped the initial shot. However, the momentum of the ball moved forward, and Filippo knocked the loose ball into the open net, giving the Hawks the 2-0 win.
Saint Joseph's finished with an 8-7 edge in shots, with Fordham having the advantage in corners, 3-0.
In net, O'Sullivan made three saves for the Rams, while Rivera also had three for the Hawks.
Fordham is back in action on Sunday, March 21
st, when the Rams host Massachusetts for an Atlantic 10 contest, slated for 3:00 PM on Jack Coffey Field.
