North Adams, Mass.- Tied 1-1 in the final minute of the Dean Bulldogs season opening women's soccer contest against the MCLA Trailblazers, senior Lisette Ayala (Chicopee, Mass.) fielded a cross from fellow senior Jazlyn Estrella (Coventry, R.I) and poked the bounding ball past the goalkeeper for the game-winning goal. 

The drama continued moments later, with the clock ticking away, as Bulldog goalkeeper Haley Gaunt (Johnston, R.I.) made a crucial save on a header off a corner kick to preserve the lead and seal the Bulldog victory. Dean improved to 1-0 on the season, while MCLA dropped to 0-1.

The Bulldogs fell behind in the first half when Catelyn Hodge buried an unassisted strike past Gaunt in the 22nd minute. The score held through halftime and into the second half, when Dean finally found the equalizer on a goal from sophomore Kara Murphy (New Milford, Conn.) on an assist from senior Lani Watkins (Bowie, Md.). Twenty minutes of scoreless action ensued until the waning moments when Ayala scored her game-winnner. 

The Bulldogs were out-shot 19-15 but received stellar play between the posts from Gaunt, who finished with 11 saves in 90 minutes of action.
Dean is on the road again Sunday when they travel to Rhode Island College for a 1 p.m. start.