The Women in Blue put up a valiant effort on the road, but ultimately fell 1-0 to the Vermont Green in the USL W League National Semifinals.
Vermont started hot, getting off a close-range shot a minute into the match, but Lilly Heaslet was there to snag it.
The Blues pushed back immediately, getting a pair of shots just around six minutes later from Caitlin Conroy and Sarah Gorham that both just narrowly missed finding the upper ninety.
Vermont created a one-on-one opportunity five minutes later for Emily Mara, but Heaslet was quick off her line and took away enough of the angle to where Mara’s attempt rolled wide.
The Blues had another threatening chance come their way in the 21st minute, when Lucie Bertrand’s cross from the left flank found the head of Lauryn Mateo, but her attempt went wide. Play stiffened up shortly after, with little to no danger coming from either side, as the match went into the break scoreless.
The Green found the opener in the 56th minute, when Mara was freed up inside the box and roofed a clinical finish to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Blues quickly flipped the field and dominated possession for the next 20 minutes before Vermont had pushback of their own, forcing a pair of saves from Heaslet.
The best Asheville chance came in the 80th minute. A pair of “dummies” by the Asheville forwards guided the ball to Brooke Pearson inside of the box on the left side, but she dragged her near-post shot just wide.
The Blues earned a corner in stoppage time, but Vermont was able to clear their lines after a bit of chaos as the Blues’ season came to a close.
Thank you, Blues fans, for all of your support this season! Although this is not the ending we wanted, we are so proud to have had you with us every step of the way.
