Women's Soccer Plays To Draw Versus Norwich Wednesday, 1-1

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw versus the visiting Norwich University Cadets in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match on a picturesque Wednesday evening at the USJ Soccer Field in West Hartford. The Blue Jays struck first with a goal in the first half before Norwich found the equalizer early in the second half to account for the final score.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: USJ 1, Norwich 1
Records: USJ (1-3-1, 0-1-1 GNAC), Norwich (2-2-1, 0-0-1 GNAC)
Location: USJ Soccer Field (West Hartford, Conn.)

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Jays struck first with a goal off a set-piece in the 41st minute. After USJ was awarded its fourth corner kick of the opening half they finally converted. Sophomore midfielder Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) took the corner and played a great ball towards the back post to find classmate Kelsi Ursini (Groton, Conn.) who used a flying-knee to redirect the pass into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
• The Cadets would find an answer though and netted the game's equalizer early in the second half in the 57th minute. Norwich's goal also came off a set-piece after the Cadets were awarded a free-kick following a foul that was committed by the Blue Jays just outside the penalty area. Junior midfielder Jillian Patria (Rindge, N.H.) stepped up for the Cadets and hit a perfect free-kick with her right foot from 22-yards out that whizzed over the head and outstretched hands of USJ's freshman goalkeeper Chandler Douglas (North Haven, Conn.) and into the back of the net.

QUOTABLE

"That was a great team performance tonight and we were just a little unlucky in completing some of our chances to get an additional goal. Ursini, Muscatello, and Zappone provided strong individual performances as well. We are looking forward to seeing what this team can continue to do as the year progresses," said head coach Jenna Kalwa.

NOTES

• It marks the first draw of the 2022 season for the Blue Jays and just the second all-time under second-year head coach Jenna Kalwa.
• One goal allowed is the least in a match by the Blue Jays through five matches this season. 
• Ursini's goal was her second of the season for the Blue Jays and the fifth of her career.
• Overall, the Blue Jays dominated play, possession, and outshot the Cadets on the night, 24-6, including an advantage in shots on goal, 11-3.
• USJ's Douglas made a pair of saves in the draw and her record moves to 1-3-1 on the year between the pipes for the Blue Jays.
• Norwich's sophomore keeper Rebecca Karis (Fayetteville, N.C.) was superb in goal all game for the visitors and finished with 10 saves for the Cadets.
• The Blue Jays also held a sizeable edge in corner kicks, 7-1.
• Over the last 10 meetings between the two GNAC programs, the Blue Jays now hold a 7-1-2 edge in the series.

UP NEXT

Women's soccer returns back to the pitch on Saturday, September 17 for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match at home versus Emmanuel College. Kickoff between the Blue Jays and Saints is slated for 3:00 p.m. on the USJ Soccer Field in West Hartford, Conn.