Bombacino's 87th minute score pushes MU past CSU, 2-1

MILWAUKEE – Sophomore Alyssa Bombacino scored the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute as the Marquette University women's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Colorado State on Sunday afternoon at a wet Valley Fields.

Freshman defender Josie Kelderman played the ball up the right side from the midline to Abby Hess, who shielded the ball and flicked it towards Bombacino with her heel. Bombacino then took the ball into the box and beat CSU keeper Gabi McDonald inside the far post from 15 yards out.

"Abby laid off a really good pass and I just ran on to it," Bombacino said. "I had a play similar in the game but I just missed the shot, so I was really excited that she was able to play it right in front of the goal and I was able to take the shot."

Bombacino's classmate, Macey Shock, scored the equalizer in the 77th minute for the Golden Eagles (3-6-0), who posted a season-high scoring output on the afternoon to notch their first comeback win of the year.

Shock scored her second goal of the week from outside the box to tie it up before Bombacino's eventual match winner just over 10 minutes later.

Kristen Noonan scored in the eighth minute to put the Rams (5-2-1) ahead and CSU controlled possession for much of the first half.

There was no shortage of opportunities for the Golden Eagles as they racked up a season-high 19 shots and earned all six of the game's corner kicks.

The last time these two teams met, MU senior goalkeeper Maddy Henry became the program's all-time leader in saves but the Golden Eagles fell 2-0 at CSU in the season opener on Aug. 22.

"It's rare that we get to play a team twice so that was something we really excited about this opportunity and we really wanted to win," Bombacino said.

MU has a full week off following the CSU match before opening BIG EAST Conference play against defending champion Georgetown in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Keep up with the Marquette University women's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWSOC) and Instagram (@MarquetteWSOC) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWSOC).