By Denver Louis

Elyse Bizzozaro had not scored a goal since the Pride’s 2-1 victory over the University Delaware on Oct. 1, but with 1:31 left in overtime she would not be denied, giving the Pride women’s soccer team the win over Old Dominion University.

Close games have become a way of life for the Pride this season. Nine games have been decided by a goal or less.

Sunday’s game was indicative of the entire season. It was an exciting game from start to finish, with the Pride coming away with a hard-earned 1-0 victory. Junior midfielder Chrissy Arnone set up Bizzozaro, who zipped the ball into the upper corner of the net for the game-winner and her fourth goal of the season.

Coach JoAnne Russell, in her 13th year, has lead the Pride (11-5-1) to a 5-3-1 Colonial Athletic Association record, landing the Pride n first place. With only one regular season game against Drexel remaining, the Pride is getting prepared to make another run into the CAA tournament.

Senior Becky Wachsberger had four saves in the game, giving her the sixth shutout this season and the 25th of her career. In her three-year career, Becky has not allowed a goal in nearly half her games.

Comparatively, the Pride has played one more game than the entire conference, but it is still in danger of not recapturing the regular season championship despite the fact that having clinched a post-season spot for the seventh year in a row. With one game left, the Pride must beat last-place Drexel and wait to see where the cards fall. If Pride beats Drexel that guarantees a finish of no lower than third place. In conference play, the Pride has 15 points and is one point ahead of William and Mary (4-1-2) and two ahead of Delaware (4-2-1) and Old Dominion (4-2-1).

To receive a bye in the opening round of the CAA Tournament starting Nov. 2 the Pride needs to finish in one of the top two spots.