RINDGE, N.H. (11/11/22)- Third-seeded University of Bridgeport advanced to the second round the NCAA Championship East Regional following a lengthy battle with sixth-seeded Saint Anselm College on Friday afternoon at Sodexo Field. After a full 90 minutes of action, along with two overtime periods, the victory was decided via penalty kicks with the Purple Knights emerging victorious 1-1 (3-2 PK’s) over the Hawks.

With the win, Bridgeport improves to 13-3-6 overall having remained unbeaten in their last 18 contests. Saint Anselm suffers repeated history with their second straight first round exit, having also been bumped in the same fashion last season. The Hawks conclude their campaign with a 10-7-2 overall record.

The advancing Purple Knights will face-off against the No.2 host Franklin Pierce University Ravens right back at Sodexo Field on Sunday, November 23^rd for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

Bridgeport ended up striking first late in the first half, following a goal from sophomore Kate Thill. The Purple Knights would carry the 1-0 lead into the second half of play, before Saint Anselm notched the equalizer on a goal by Allison Silverstein in the 72^nd minute of the frame, forcing overtime between the two clubs.

The two squads would go scoreless through 20 minutes of overtime play before heading to penalty kicks to decide the outcome. As the first pair of shooters, St. Anselm's Riley DiGilio and Bridgeport's Vivien Ruettgers  each found the back of the net, before the Knights gained the advantage on two straight stops by goalkeeper Clara Karlsson Karlsson. Shortly thereafter, Solune Moll and Angelina LoFranco  continued to build upon the Bridgeport advantage with back to back goals, forcing a fifth round miss by Saint Anselm to claim the 3-2 win in penalty kicks.

Karlsson finished the contest having made four saves on five shots faced, claiming the victory for the Knights. For the Hawks, goalkeeper Emma Hudson matched the stats with four saves on five shots as well.