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.