Women's Soccer Tops Newbury in 2OT

EAST BOSTON, Mass. - The Newbury College women's soccer team dropped a tough double-overtime loss to Mitchell College, 1-0, in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) action on Wednesday evening. 

Freshman Katie McBride registered her first game-winning goal a minute into the second overtime period to give the Mariners their second NECC win. Mitchell improved to 2-4-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play.

It was a defensive battle at midfield for the majority of the first half before Mitchell freshman Angel Thorbjornsen put the match's first shot on goal midway through the period. However, Newbury goalkeeper Nikki Garafalo was able to come up with the stop to keep the game scoreless going into the break.

When the teams returned to the pitch at the start of the second period, the Mariners offense looked prone to score, pressuring the defense and keeping the ball in Newbury territory. But Garafalo was able to withstand the pressure and came up with three big saves in the second half to keep the game scoreless. She finished with six saves for the contest.

Midway through the second period Newbury moved into Mitchell territory and earned a quality scoring chance. Jamie Chernesky fired a laser from 10 yards out on the near side, but junior goalkeeper Kaylee Woodford was there to make the stop.

The match remained scoreless until a minute into the second extra period, when freshman Samantha Cilenti connected with McBride three yards in front of the right post for the game winner. The goal was also McBride's second of the season.

Woodford finished with two saves to earn her first shutout of the season. Newbury dropped to 1-5-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the NECC.

Mitchell returns to action at home against Regis College on Saturday, October 6 at 1 p.m.