Hassapis Makes 11 Saves in Bentley’s 1-1 Tie with No. 21 SNHU

Hassapis Makes 11 Saves in Bentley’s 1-1 Tie with No. 21 SNHU

WALTHAM, Mass. – Freshman goalkeeper Kat Hassapis (North Reading, Mass./North Reading) made 11 saves in her first career start as the Bentley women's soccer team earned a 1-1 tie with No. 21 ranked Southern New Hampshire on Wednesday.

Hassapis was starting in place of senior Deirdre Macrorie (Winchester, Mass./Winchester), who saw her streak of 45 straight matches started, which dated back to her freshman season, come to an end.

Hassapis filled in ably, making several big saves and clearances in the 2nd half and in overtime.  Six of her 11 saves came in the 2nd half and overtime.

Bentley's goal came from freshman Lindsay Connolly (Suffield, Conn./Suffield) in the 17th minute to give them a 1-0 lead. SNHU failed to clear the ball from Bentley's end, and sophomore Stephanie Helin (Manchester, Conn./East Catholic) won possession. That enabled her to get a touch on to Connolly, who finished from eight yards out for her team leading fourth goal of the season.

Bentley's solid defensive effort, led by Riane Hunt (Millis, Mass./Millis), who made several key interceptions and broke up several SNHU attacks, kept the visitors off the scoreboard deep into the 2nd half.

However, the Penmen were able to tie it in the 74th minute after Bentley could not clear a free kick played into the box by midfielder Ariana Silvia. Midfielder Allyson Patterson jumped on the loose ball and poked home a shot from close range for the goal.

Both teams had a great chance for the winning goal late in regulation. Patterson had a shot hit the post in the 86th minute. Bentley then took the ball right down the field and nearly scored, as freshman Emma Guccione (Holliston, Mass./Holliston) played a cross into the six yard box from the left wing for Peyton Kent (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan), only to see her shot denied by SNHU keeper Paige Salmon.

The Falcons next head on the road to face Southern Connecticut on Saturday.