Poughkeepsie, NY – The Maine Black Bears (3-1, 0-0 America East) came to Tenney Stadium and visited the Marist Red Foxes (3-2, 0-0 MAAC) tonight on a brisk, pre-Fall evening. With MAAC play beginning September 22 against Iona, Marist’s primary goal was to get another early-season home win under their belt. And yet, regardless of an early lead, the Red Foxes would fall in the end by a score of 2-1, returning to .500 and short of their target.
Straight from kickoff, chances galore came forth. Marist forward Leah Barbieri ran down to the entire pitch in the eighth-minute to win Marist’s first corner of the match, and though it was cleared for another corner by a Maine defender, was nearly put into the back of their own net.
Two minutes later, defender Alexa Svensson’s corner was dealt with just as poorly as Bianca Furci nearly put home Marist’s first goal; Maine just barely cleared it off the line. The third time, though, was a charm for the Red Foxes, as midfielder Kristen Prevosto got her head on a ball driven at the near post. Multiple Maine defenders tried to clear it off the line but failed to do so, giving Marist the early 1-0 lead.
And yet despite Marist looking dangerous and Maine’s shaky start, stability to their play came with time. Maine’s Saylor Clark crossed the ball to fellow midfielder Nicole Bailey, her connection being the touch Maine would need to equalize. The speed of the shot was tame, but goalkeeper Abigail Renaud was poorly positioned and couldn’t get to the ball before it reached the back of the net. Tie game. Halftime.
It was a dull second half compared to the first; the opportunities weren’t nearly as plentiful for either team. Until 65th minute, when assister Saylor Clark – involved again – pocketed a beautiful curler from 25-yards out. Renaud had no chance as Maine take their first lead of the match.
Marist had their best chance to bring the score back level when winger Victoria Colatosti got fouled from just outside the penalty box, and just barely sent her free-kick over the crossbar. After that golden opportunity, Marist struggled to get the ball back into Maine’s half; the loss became Marist’s first at home.
Despite dropping to 3-3 on the season, the team is looking forward to their Tenney- return and starting MAAC play. “The home opener is usually big for us… I expect to see a big crowd for that match,” said goal scorer Kristen Prevosto.
“You always like to play at home,” Coach Leigh Howard said. “Anytime we can get in front of a crowd that we are representing, and the school that we are representing, there is an added level of excitement and intensity.”
The Red Foxes may be without starters Jillian Colucci and Victoria Colatosti, particularly for their next match against Lafayette College at Pennsylvania. Both came off injured in the first and second halves, respectively, and did not return, leaving their current status uncertain. The Red Foxes will look to bounce back from this unfortunate defeat and hope to further prepare for their matches against MAAC opponents starting Sunday.
Edited by Will Bjarnar