Springfield, Mass. (November 18) -- On Tuesday night in the Northeast-10 Conference First Round, No. 9 Assumption dropped a 2-1 final to American International at Abdow Field as the teams scored all three goals in the second half. The appearance in the postseason was the first since 2002 for the Hounds.

In a scoreless first half, Assumption held a slight 3-2 edge in shots on goal in the period, including a backhanded shot by junior Kiley Colucci (Gloucester, R.I./St. Mary Academy) that was saved by Ainslee Penfield with 27 minutes left. Junior Taylor Chase (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) had a shot from the right side with 11:20 left that was saved, along with a Colucci point-blank chance with 6:25 left that was turned aside.

The Yellow Jackets came out of the halftime break with immediate pressure as a blast by Jenna Masionis went just wide right only 30 seconds into the half. Assumption goalie Lauren Neilan (Mendon, Mass./Nipmuc Regional) came out of the net to make a huge save on a shot by Emma Heroth as the intensity picked up for both teams.

AIC got on the board first as Taylor Ruscillo scored off a rebound with 28:18 left for the 1-0 lead. Amanda Johannes had the initial shot that was kicked aside by Neilan before Ruscillo pounced on the rebound. Assumption answered right back just five minutes later as Colucci knocked home her team-leading 15th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Colucci scored from five yards out, chipping the ball in off an assist from sophomore Andrea Koslowski (Warren, Mass./Quaboag Regional) from the top of the circle.

Back and forth action continued as the Hounds had shots by freshman Allison Sheahan (Higganum, Conn./Haddam-Killingworth) and senior Paige Anderson (Suffield, Conn./Suffield) stuffed by the AIC goalie. Coming right back were the Yellow Jackets though as Neilan made a diving save on a shot by Kaylin Harbin to keep the game tied at 1-1.

With 8:22 left, the Yellow Jackets had another offensive rush that was initially saved by Neilan before a second effort by Heroth got thru the defense and trickled into the net for the 2-1 lead. Both teams had chances in the final minutes, including a number for the Hounds over the last two, before the Yellow Jackets picked up the 2-1 victory to sweep a pair of games from Assumption this season.

Neilan made 11 saves in the loss, while Penfield turned aside eight shots while picking up the victory.

AIC held a 19-12 advantage in shots and a slight 8-6 edge in penalty corner chances.

Assumption ends the season at 12-7 overall, while American International improves to 13-7 on the season. The Yellow Jackets advance to face LIU Post on Thursday afternoon in the Northeast-10 semifinals.

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