Pride Battle to 1-1 Draw in Season Opener against Corsairs

DARTMOUTH, Mass.-- The Regis College women's soccer team opened its 2025 season on the road Friday afternoon at Cressy Field in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, taking on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. In a tightly contested matchup, both sides found the back of the net once as the season opener closed in a 1-1 draw.

First-year Julia Benvegnu (Watertown, Conn.) provided the Pride's lone tally, converting from the penalty spot in the first half. In goal, Cassidy Van Cott (Santa Monica, Calif.) earned the start and finished with one save.

For the Corsairs, Rieanna Murray (Hinesburg, Vt.) recorded the equalizer off an assist from Isla Thompson (Attleboro, Mass.), while Grace Conti (Shrewsbury, Mass.) made four saves between the posts.

How it Happened:

Meadow Comeiro (Woburn, Mass.) nearly opened the scoring in the early minutes, but the Corsairs' goalkeeper turned her attempt aside with the first save of the day. Shortly after, Maeve Glavin (Norwood, Mass.) threatened to break through, only to see her strike rattle off the crossbar and keep the match scoreless.

The Corsairs registered their first shot on target 23 minutes in, but their low attempt to the left was handled cleanly by Van Cott. In the 38th minute, Benvegnu capitalized on a penalty kick to notch the Pride's first goal of the game—and of the season—sending Regis into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Less than ten minutes into the second half, the Corsairs pulled even when Thompson connected with Murray, who finished low to the left in the 54th minute to make it 1-1.

The Pride continued to apply pressure in search of the go-ahead goal, testing Marina Cassano (Broomfield, Colo.) with strong shots from Glavin and Benvegnu, but the Corsairs' keeper held firm to keep the game deadlocked. In the 68th minute, Regis was landed another opportunity to reclaim the lead when they were awarded a second penalty kick. Benvegnu, who had already converted once in the first half, stepped to the spot with a chance to put the Pride back in front. This time, however, her attempt sailed off target, allowing the Corsairs to breathe a sigh of relief and keep the stalemate alive. 

UMass Dartmouth nearly stole the match in the final five minutes, firing off three shots in quick succession—just 11 seconds apart. The crossbar denied the first, while the next two were blocked by the Pride defense. Regis pushed for one last opportunity with a corner in the 86th minute, but nothing would come of it as the match closed in a 1-1 draw.

Inside the Numbers:

• Julia Benvegnu recorded her first career-goal for the crimson and gold this afternoon. 
• This afternoon's tie marks the first tie between the two squads, moving Regis' all-time record against UMass Dartmouth to 1-3-1.

Up Next:

The Pride will remain on the road this weekend with a trip to Norton, Massachusetts to take on Wheaton College on Sunday, August 31 at 4 p.m.