Women's Soccer Defeats Southern Connecticut, 3-2, in Double Overtime
SARAH COAKLEY'S GAME-WINNING OVERTIME TALLY LEADS WARRIORS OVER OWLS
Links: Box Score
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – With five minutes remaining in double overtime, junior Sarah Coakley (Medway, Mass.) found the back of the net to lead the Merrimack College women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory at Southern Connecticut State University in a thrilling Northeast-10 Conference battle at Jess Dow Field.
The Basics
Game Score: Merrimack 3, Southern Conn. 2
Records: Merrimack (3-1, 1-0) | SCSU (1-3, 0-1)
Location: Jess Dow Field | New Haven, Conn.
How It Happened
In the first half, the Warriors built a strong 2-1 lead over the Owls. Sophomore Steph Eaton (Auckland, New Zealand) put the Warriors up 1-0 in the 10th minute of play after the first-year sophomore booted a strong kick from the 30-yard line that found the twine. Junior Danielle Dion (North Grosvenordale, Conn.) collected the assist on Eaton's goal.
Freshman Alana Vecchiarello (Peabody, Mass.) made it a 2-0 lead in the 33rd minute, recording her third goal in her young career in the process. The Owls cut the lead to one by a unassisted goal from Caroline Staudle to close out at the half.
The Warriors maintained that 2-1 lead until the Owls evened it up in the 78th minute, when Hannah Spreckley scored off a corner kick from Suzanne Pires, sending the game to overtime.
Each side traded shot attempts in the first 10-minute session but could not find the back of the net. Then, with five minutes left in the final overtime, Coakley tallied the game-winning goal with a laser of a shot that went right by the goalie.
Senior goalkeeper Nicole Curtis (Billerica, Mass.) picked up her third win of the season, stopping two shots on net during the game.
A Closer Look
- Dion collected two shots, a shot on goal, and two assists.
- Merrimack out shot the Owls 11-9.
- Southern Conn. held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Merrimack led in fould 7-4
- Eaton and Vecchiarello both collected two shots, two shots on goal, and a goal each.
What They Said
Head Coach Coach Gabe Mejail: "It was tough to see a solid 2-0 lead disappear, and while some teams could have caved in, our team showed great character by regrouping after that and finally coming out with the victory."
Up Next
Merrimack returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 18, when the Warriors travel to Northeast-10 Conference opponent Franklin Pierce. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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