Somerville, MA - Suffolk University Women's Soccer played to their second 0-0 draw this week as they tied the Rivier College Raiders on Monday afternoon. Junior Emily Joyce (Easton, MA) posted her third shutout of the season turning away nine Raiders' shots as she has yet to allow a goal since returning from an injury.
Neither team was able to capitalize on their scoring chances all day, as both teams combined for 28 shots.
Rivier freshman Amy Desimore (Methuen, MA) had two of the Raiders best scoring opportunities in the first half. Seven minutes into play Desimore missed a wide open net as Joyce came out of the Suffolk net to play a ball that got away from her, Desimore's shot sailed wide. Seventeen minutes later Desimore broke away from the Rams' defense alone but her shot hit off the top crossbar.
The Rams came out quick in the second half with their best scoring opportunity of the day. After sophomore Leslie Hayden (Ross, CA) worked her way through the Raiders' defense and deep into their zone her shot dinged off the cross bar. The rebound came right out to sophomore Gina Dean (Revere, MA) who was wide open on the right side of the goal, but her shot sailed over the net.
Joyce was tough the rest of the day fighting off Raiders' attackers in front of her own net. Joyce made three second half saves and two saves in the extra periods. Perhaps the play of the day came with 25 minutes remaining when Joyce made a sprawling save off a shot from Rivier senior Emily Ingram (Litchfield, MA).
Rivier had one final dramatic chance with thirty-nine seconds left in regulation, but freshman Lori Cloniger (Oxford, MA) just missed the net as her shot went high.
Both teams put out three shots each in two overtime periods.
Freshman Kristina Arnold (New London, NH) played the first half in goal for Rivier, making four saves before being relieved by senior Brittany Puleo (Hudson, NH) who made four saves as well.
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday evening. Rivier will take on Becker College, while Suffolk will host Mass. Maritime Academy in a non-conference matchup at 8:30pm at Dilboy Stadium.