Box Score

UNION, N.J. - In a match they controlled from the opening whistle, The University of Scranton women's soccer team finally put away a pesky Stockton (N.J.) squad in overtime, as junior Evelyn Bruggeman (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) scored the game-winner in extra time to clinch a 2-1 season opening victory for the Royals in a match played at Kean.

Scranton (1-0) who is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Top 25 Division III Preseason Poll, attacked early and often on Friday against Stockton (0-1) and finally cashed in on a scoring chance in the 20th minute to take an early 1-0 lead.

There, sophomore forward Niamh Healy (Orangeburg, N.Y./Tappan Zee) scored her first career goal off an assist from freshman Emily Bannon (Middletown, N.Y./Minisink Valley) to give the Royals the early edge.

But, despite Scranton outshooting Stockton by a wide 11-4 margin in the frame, the Ospreys scored on one of their only chances of the half, as a goal by Maddie Klein in the 40th minute tied the game up at one entering intermission.

The rest of regulation saw Scranton fire almost at will on net, as they finished the second half with an even wider margin of shots at 15-2. The Royals, however, could not get anything past Stockton goalie Kylee Sullivan, who made six saves in the final 45 minutes to keep the match tied at one.

However, in extra time, it didn't take Scranton long to finally end the match, as Bruggeman scored on the Royals' fourth shot of the overtime period to clinch the victory in the 95th minute. For Bruggeman, it was the first goal of her career at Scranton, as well.

Overall, the Royals absolutely dominated the statsheet, going on to outshoot the Ospreys by a staggering 30-6 margin, while also holding an 11-2 edge on corner kicks. In net, Klein ended a strong day with 14 saves for Stockton, while Scranton senior goalie Amanda Steinberg (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem North) finished the day with three saves.

The University of Scranton women's soccer team returns to action on Saturday as they take on Kean beginning at 4 p.m.

--ROYALS--