By Michael Letendre

WORCESTER, Mass. – When former Bristol Eastern girls soccer standout Myah Croze made the decision to attend Western Connecticut State University, it was only going to be a matter of time before her scoring exploits were going become major news.

And in WestConn’s first match of the season this year, the junior from Bristol quickly collected game-winning scoring honors.

On Saturday, the midfielder notched the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining in the match, propelling the women’s soccer program to a 2-1 victory in a non-conference tilt against Worcester Polytechnic Institute from Alumni Stadium.

Trailing by a goal, WPI tied the contest at 1-1 over the 60th minute of play and it appeared the match was headed for a possible overtime session.

However, it was a 1-2 punch by Bristol Eastern’s finest as senior Carly Martin was tremendous in the goal – scooping in 10 saves – and kept it a 1-1 stalemate before Croze put together game scoring heroics.

And with 87:13 left in regulation, Western’s Suzana Imetovski found a charging Croze and when she flicked the ball into the WPI net, WestConn led 2-1 and never looked back.

Croze ended up taking two total shots on goal that day, converting on her second attempt that proved to be the game-winner.

Martin had another tremendous outing at the keeper position, stopping 10 of 11 shots over ninety minutes of intense action.

As a freshman in 2019, Croze played in all 22 contests for the Colonials – helping the squad to a 14-6-2 overall record.

She co-led the program in goals with 18 and etched up five game-winning scores that season.

Croze also collected two assists while notching 38 points overall.

Martin also had an active 2019 campaign, competing in all 22 matches as opponents scored just 26 goals against the then sophomore – posting an excellent 1.31 goals allowed average.

She made 105 of the program’s 120 saves that season.