Emmitsburg, Md. (September 18, 2021)--Mount St. Mary's saw defending Northeast Conference champion Central Connecticut strike for pair of goals in the opening 3:23 of the game in a 3-0 loss in the NEC opener at Waldron Family Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  Goalkeeper Maggie Barron and Arden Lembryk combined to make 16 saves for the Mountaineers in the game.

The Blue Devils (4-2-0, 1-0-0 NEC) broke on top just 1:32 into the game when Olivia Fiori finished a nice passing play for the early 1-0 lead.  Just under two minutes later, Central Connecticut took advantage of a Mount turnover for the second goal.  Kristina Kelly intercepted a Mount clearing attempt and dribbled to the top of the box, then fired the shot to the upper corner of the goal for the two-goal lead.

CCSU had a chance to add to the lead with a four-shot flurry from close range in the 15th minute.  Lembryk made a nice stop on Kelly to start the sequence, recovering to make a save on Fiori  The rebound of that shot went to Kelly Brady, who was denied by Lembryk again.  That rebound went to Aoife Horgan, but she saw her shot attempt stopped by a Mount defender on the goal line.

The Mountaineers (2-7-0, 0-1-0) settled in at that point, and had a great scoring opportunity in the 32nd minute to cut the lead in half.  Elisabeth Rockhill freed Kalli Bell open in the box, but Bell's shot was saved by CCSU keeper Amanda McQuillan.  The Blue Devils added to the lead late in the half when Giavanna Inzerillo finished a long pass from Tess Atkinson for a 3-0 halftime lead.

The Mount generated a couple of early scoring chances in the second half, but Lindsay Reightler's shot went wide and Rockhill had a long shot saved by McQuillan.  Barron made a pair of nice saves on Brady in the second half to help keep CCSU off the scoreboard in the second half.

Central Connecticut held a 29-to-6 advantage in shots in the game, including a 20-to-2 margin in shots on goal.  CCSU had a 7-to-3 edge in corner kicks.  Barron made nine saves in 50:02 of action for the Mount in the game in relief of Lembryk, who had seven saves in the opening 39:58 of the game before leaving with an injury.  Rockhill, Bell and Reightler each had two shots for the Mountaineers.  Kelly led CCSU with a goal and an assist.

Mount St. Mary's returns to the pitch on Thursday, September 23, with a 5:00 p.m. road game at Fairleigh Dickinson.  The next home contest is set for Sunday, September 26, at 1:00 p.m. against Sacred Heart at Waldron Family Stadium on campus.