LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Women’s Soccer earned its first point of 2019 with a hard fought 1-1 draw vs. defending Northeast Conference Champion and preseason favorite Central Connecticut at Siena Field. The goals were scored by Amber Alfonzo for Siena and Roma McLaughlin for CCSU.

 

Both goals came late in the second half in an evenly contested battle between the squads which played to a 1-1 tie for the second straight season. Siena (0-5-1) served as one of just four matches last fall that perennial regional power Central Connecticut (2-2-2) didn’t win in a 16-2-2 campaign.

 

Alfonzo was the beneficiary of a great individual effort from freshman Caitlin Wania to put the Saints in front in the 70^th minute. Wania eluded several defenders and sent in a cross from the right which deflected off Darby D’Angelo. Alfonzo finished inside the near right post for her team-leading second score of the year.

 

But the Blue Devils responded with the equalizer with just 87 seconds remaining in regulation. Shauny Alterisio played a ball through from the left down the middle, and McLaughlin secured the first touch and finished for her team-high fourth goal.

 

Central Connecticut held slight margins in both shots (16-12) and corners (4-3). Taylor Dorado stopped five shots for Siena, while Amanda McQuillan registered eight saves for CCSU.

 

The Saints return to action Thursday when they travel to Big East foe Seton Hall for a 6 p.m. kickoff.