Danbury, Conn. (10/18/11) – The Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team broke a 1-1 tie late in the second half as they defeated the Kean University women's soccer team 2-1, Tuesday evening.

WestConn's improved to 10-4, while Kean is 9-3-3 on the season.

WestConn got the scoring started early when junior Tracy Sales hooked a corner kick into the box from the left side.  Sophomore Ariana D'Aurio headed the ball just inside the near post to give WestConn a 1-0 lead with just over 10 minutes played.  Kean got the equalizer when senior Danielle Esposito (pictured left) timed her run to beat three WestConn defenders, took the pass from Kristen Hager and chipped a lob over WestConn's keeper who was charging the ball on the play.  After 45 minutes of play, the score remained 1-1.

Senior Lauren Francisco's game-winner came with a little over two minutes remaining.  Carrying the ball through the middle of the field, Francisco dribbled around one Kean defender and accelerated between two other pursuing defenders with a shot from 30 yards out to the left side of the net giving the Colonials the victory by a 2-1 margin.

WestConn held a 16-9 advantage in shots and also had an 8-0 edge in corner kicks. 

Kaitlin King made seven saves in a losing effort for the Cougars.

Kean returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Rowan University.