CALDWELL, N.J. - Jessica Aaron's goal with just 33 second left in regulation gave Philadelphia University a 4-3 win over Caldwell College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's soccer match Saturday afternoon at Caldwell Field. With the loss, the Cougars fall to 5-9 on the season, including a 3-5 mark in the conference, while the Rams improve to 9-3-1, 6-0 CACC. The game was the final regular-season match at home for six Caldwell seniors, including forward Victoria Aguilera (Merida, Venezuela/Saucon Valley), left, who scored all three Cougar goals.
Two goals in the first 6:24 of the contest put Philadelphia ahead early in the first half. Lauren Golisano scored off of Melissa McMullen's corner kick in the fifth minute, then Christy Bauckman knocked in a rebound off a shot by Brianna Reinford in the seventh minute. Aguilera tallied the Cougars' first goal just before halftime, when she took a pass from junior midfielder Carla Bleiler (Galloway Twp., NJ/Absegami) and put a shot over goalkeeper Sara Hall and into the net in the 44th minute.
Aguilera struck again in the 73rd minute, heading home a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Kristee Paknis (Whiting, NJ/Manchester) to tie the game at 2-2. Less than four minutes later, the Rams' Kim Garen scored an unassisted goal to restore Philadelphia's lead. But in the 81st minute, a Rams' defender was called for a handball in the penalty area and a penalty kick was awarded to Caldwell. Aguilera converted to tie the game at 3-3 and complete the hat trick. She now has a team-leading seven goals on the season and 26 goals for her career.
With the clock winding down, the Rams sent a high ball into the Cougars' penalty area. Senior goalkeeper Richelle Morse (Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley), right, went up to catch the ball and collided with Aaron, forcing the ball free. Aaron chased down the loose ball and scored for the victory.
Morse finished the game with eight saves, while Hall made seven for Philadelphia. The Rams held an 18-17 advantage in shots.
Along with Aguilera and Morse, the other seniors playing in their final regular-season home game for Caldwell included defenders Patty Clark (North Arlington, NJ/North Arlington), Jenna Crance (Colonia, NJ/Colonia), Lindsay Gregoris (Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and Marcy Reda (Phillipsburg, NJ/Bethlehem Academy). The seniors have helped the Cougars make the semifinals of the CACC Tournament twice while compiling a record of 31-32-5 over the past four seasons.
Caldwell continues its schedule on Monday, Oct. 9, when the Cougars play at Queens College in a non-conference match. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Flushing, N.Y.
CC - 1 2 - 3
PU - 2 2 - 4
Scoring Summary: 1. PU - Lauren Golisano (Melissa McMullen), 4:15. 2. PU - Christy Bauckman (Brianna Reinford), 6:24. 3. CC - Victoria Aguilera 5 (Carla Bleiler), 43:45. 4. CC - Aguilera 6 (Kristee Paknis), 72:42. 5. PU - Kim Garen (unassisted), 76:14. 6. CC - Aguilera 7 (penalty kick), 80:18. 7. PU - Jessica Aaron (unassisted), 89:27.
Shots: CC - 17; PU - 18
Saves: CC - Richelle Morse 8; PU - Sara Hall 7
Corners: CC - 3; PU - 3
Fouls: CC - 10; PU - 16
Offsides: CC - 0; PU - 3
Cautions: CC - Reda (84:15); PU - Bauckman (63:45)
