CASTLETON, Vt. – The Bard College women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against UMass Boston in the Rutland Herald Invitational title game on Sunday at Castleton University.
It was 1-1 at the end of regulation, and after playing a pair of scoreless overtimes, the teams went to PKs to determine the tournament champion. UMass Boston prevailed, 4-3, in PKs, although the official result of the match is a draw.
Bard (2-0-1) had the better of the play in the first half, outshooting UMass Boston, 8-0. But the second half was played more evenly and wide open, with both teams finding opportunities to score.
Nobody did until the 69th minute, when Bard's
Isabel Keddy-Hector ripped a free kick just under the crossbar from 25 yards out. It looked like Bard was headed to a victory until Jaclyn O'Grady (Somers, CT) beat Bard keeper
Kelsey O'Brien to a ball at the top of the box and tied it up in the 86th minute.
In PKs, each keeper made one save, and Bard hit the post once. Bard head coach
Bill Kelly was pleased with Bard's play over the weekend, including Saturday's 2-1 win over host Castleton.
"We played with supreme composure," Kelly said. "We circulated the ball exceptionally well and generated several brilliant chances, including two shots off the bar. To see the cohesion and technical skill at this high a level at this point of the season is extremely exciting.
"We have entered a special epoch of Bard women's soccer," Kelly continued. "The first years have contributed hugely, and we will soon get some key players back in the mix as well, so we are feeling confident and inspired."
Aside from stopping one PK, O'Brien stopped a breakaway in the 56th minute and earned praise from Kelly.
"Kelsey made all the routine saves, and then made some extraordinary saves as well," Kelly said. "That is exactly what you want and need from your keeper if you want to go to the next level, which is clearly what she's helping us do."
Freshman
Dylan McDonald was named to the All-Tournament Team.
"I'm delighted for Dylan," Kelly said, "who was consistently effective in the back - defending extremely well, winning the ball and generating our attack."
The Raptors will now rest up and prepare for back-to-back games this coming weekend against SUNY Potsdam on Saturday and Elmira on Sunday, both at home. Follow both games via Live Stats or Live Video right here.
