Lesley Rallies Back for OT Win Against Women's Soccer
NEW LONDON, Conn. – In a match-up of conference unbeatens,
Lesley University topped Mitchell College 2-1 in overtime in NECC
women's soccer action on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni
Field.
Sarah Apgar netted the game-winning goal in the sixth minute of
overtime as Lesley (10-4-2 overall, 6-0-1 NECC) remained undefeated
in league play. The Lynx trailed 1-0 throughout most of the second
half before tying the game in the 82nd minute on a goal by Veronica
Halen.
Mitchell (5-7-1 overall, 3-1-1 NECC) scored in the 21st minute to
take control. Junior Angie Smith played a long ball over the top of
the defense that classmate Nikki Hoxie tracked down on the right
wing. Lesley goalkeeper Corinne Dasti came out to take away the
angle, but Hoxie chipped a shot over her head and into the goal
from 25 yards out. The tally was her team-leading seventh of the
season.
Lesley nearly equalized in the first half on a one-on-one effort by
Casey Decareau in the 42nd minute. Decareau had raced up the left
side of the field and beaten her defender, but her shot to the far
post was saved by Mitchell keeper Kaylee Woodford. Decareau had
another chance off the rebound, but the ensuing shot sailed wide
and the Mariners took the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Dasti made a diving stop of her own in the second half. With just
over 30 minutes to play in regulation, sophomore Amanda Hernandez
blasted a shot with a defender on her hip that Dasti corralled to
keep the Lynx in the game.
After threatening for most of the half, Lesley finally broke
through for the tying goal when Jenna Fralick played a ball into
the box that Woodford came out to clear. The ball deflected to the
foot of Halen, who had an open net in front of her and buried the
shot for her sixth goal of the season.
Apgar nearly won it for the Lynx in regulation, but another
outstanding save by Woodford kept the game knotted at 1-1. With
less than two minutes to play before overtime, Apgar chipped a ball
to the upper right corner of the goal that Woodford punched over
the crossbar.
Apgar netted the golden goal in the 96th minute off a feed from
Fralick, who slotted a ball up the middle of the field. Apgar took
the pass and, after a few touches, slid a shot past Woodford for
the winning score. The goal was her first of the season.
Lesley held a 21-9 advantage in shots and enjoyed a 12-0 edge in
corner kicks. Woodford finished with eight saves for the Mariners
while Dasti made two for the Lynx.
Mitchell will next host Wheelock College on Saturday, October 23 at
2 p.m.