In the first 2020 installment of a great rivalry, the Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central girls soccer teams settled for a 1-1 draw after 80 minutes of play. Due to the coronavirus limitations, overtime will not be played this year.
Bristol Eastern started off hot, with a great chance to score just three minutes in as Emily Nelson intercepted a BC defender’s pass, beat the keeper, but was denied as her shot rang off the post. The Lady Lancers continued to dominate throughout the first half creating quality chances often.
Led by goalkeeper Maddy Corcoran making 10 saves in the first half, the Rams were up to the challenge, as they would not give up a goal.
The play shifted in the second half very quickly. In just the first minute of the second half, a Rams attacker was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick, which was converted by Rachel Wygant, vaulting BC to a 1-0 lead.
The next 25+ minutes were played with the Rams controlling most of the play and both teams creating mediocre chances periodically.
The action really picked up with fifteen minutes left. The Rams had multiple corner kick opportunities of high quality, with one even bouncing off the crossbar. Central’s Bella Bosco created several chances for herself, but goalie Grace D’AMato (10 saves) was up to the challenge, bailing out the Lancers multiple times, including a huge save with 14 minutes left where she pushed a great shot over the crossbar to keep the narrow lead at one.
The equalizer came with 12 minutes left as the Lancers were awarded a free kick 23 yards away from goal on the left side. Ciara Collins left nothing to chance as she blasted a shot, bouncing it off the far post and in. The final 12 minutes, although frantic, were played without another goal.
Both teams deserved to win. Neither team deserved to lose. A tie was the proper result.
StatsGoals: 41′ BC Rachel Wygant – Penalty Kick. 68′ BE Ciara Collins – Free Kick
Shots:BE 22, 17 on goal. BC 20, 11 on goal
Saves:BE Grace D’Amato 10. BC Maddy Corcoran 16
Records:BE 0-1-1. BC 0-0-2.