NEW HAVEN, CT. – The Purchase College women's soccer team battled host Albertus Magnus to a thrilling 3-3 draw Friday afternoon. The season-opener and non-conference match was filled with a number of goals and strong runs made by both teams.
Albertus Magnus' Ejalam Bravo broke open the scoring for the game at 23:59, netting one off the assist from Sophia Vescera.
Minutes later, Purchase fired back with a two-goal rally to take a 2-1 lead. Panther rookie Lindita Selmani (FR/Brooklyn, NY) ignited the run with an unassisted and career-first tally. Junior forward Rebecca Quick (Millbrook, NY) followed with another unassisted goal at 57:01.
Albertus' Emmalee Ianniello answered the go-ahead shot less than 20 seconds later to tie the game at two-apiece.
Another unassisted goal from Selmani gave Purchase a 3-2 edge, but the hosts fired back yet again in the minutes to follow.
With time running out and the game tied at 3-3, both teams looked to control possession late.
A pair of corner kicks and an Elyza Colon (FR/Bronx, NY) shot produced opportunities for Purchase, while Albertus hit back-to-back shots in the final seconds but was shut down on both attempts by Panther netminder Carolyn Hough (SO/Massapequa, NY). The game settled as a draw after 90 minutes of play.
For Purchase, Selmani led with three shots on goal and two goals. Quick added two shots and one goal, while Colon, Alysse Pena (FR/Elmont, NY), Analie Ingalsbe (JR/West Hurley, NY) and Julieth Velasquez (SO/White Plains, NY) combined for Purchase's four other shots.
Hough picked up an impressive 15 saves across 90 minutes of play. Albertus goalie Amy Stevens collected one save for the home team.
The Panthers look to build on Friday's performance in the team's home-opener set for Tuesday (Sept. 5) against SUNY Cobleskill. The non-conference kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
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