HOBOKEN, NJ - Junior Sarah Menta (Newington, CT) scored early in the second half to break a 1-1 tie, and freshman keeper Jillian Fernandez (Columbiz, CT) recorded eight saves to lead the Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team to a 2-1 non-conference win at Stevens Tech Wednesday evening.

From the desk of Justin Lutes - Stevens SID

An early goal in each half by Western Connecticut State University proved too much to overcome for the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team as the Ducks dropped a 2-1 decision in their final home game of the season.

The loss dropped Stevens to 10-6-0 (5-2-0) on the season, while Western Connecticut State improves to 13-5-1.

It was Western Connecticut State who struck first in the eighth minute off the foot of Meaghan Gustafson.  The Colonials corner kick was deflected away from traffic in the box to a wide open Gustafson, who notched her first goal of the season as the ball sailed over the Ducks goalkeeper, junior Evelyn Ting, as she scrambled to regain position. Celia DeVoe picked up the assist on the marker.

Ting stopped three shots in the setback.

Stevens answered with an offensive onslaught, outshooting the Colonials 12-3 in half. An equalizer came in the 23rd minute when a pass from senior Ann Heine (Sammamish, Wash.) left the Ducks' top goal scorer, sophomore Raba Nassif (Northvale, N.J.), all alone with the Colonial's keeper. Nassif beat the keeper to the left side for her 15th goal of the season.

Nassif is now tied for sixth on the single-season goals scored list in Stevens history.
           
A Ducks turnover early in the second half proved costly as the Colonials' Sarah Menta intercepted a pass from the Stevens defense and beat Ting in the 57th minute for the eventual game-winner.

Reminiscent of the first half, the Ducks responded, regaining control of possession, but were unable to find a second equalizer. Stevens finished with 20 shots compared to the Colonials' nine.

Colonials goalkeeper, Jillian Fernandez, was a difference maker in the match with eight saves.

The Ducks wrap up the regular season on Saturday, November 1, at Hartwick College as they prepare for the Empire 8 Conference Championship. A 2-1 triumph over St. John Fisher College last Saturday clinched the No. 3 seed in the tournament.