SVC Trumps WSoccer in OT

NEW LONDON, Conn. – A golden goal from Rachel Cudo in the 105th minute gave Southern Vermont College a 2-1 overtime victory over Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference women's soccer action at Alumni Field.

The win was the fourth straight for the Mountaineers, who improved to 4-5-1 overall and 3-1-0 in conference play.

Cudo's goal—her first of the season—couldn't have come at a better time for the Mountaineers. With the scored tied at 1-1 for nearly 70 minutes, SVC made its move with just over five minutes remaining in the contest. Kaitlyn Forant set up the goal by sprinting down the right sideline to beat the Mitchell keeper to a 50-50 ball, and she sent a cross to the far post that Cudo finished into the back of the net.

Forant had nearly won the game herself in the opening minute of the second overtime period. She tracked down a ball at her own offensive end line and chipped a shot over the keeper from a tough angle. The ball ricocheted off the far post and bounced out in front of the goal before being cleared away by a Mitchell defender.

Both sides had chances to end it in regulation. Forant had a good look in the 83rd minute but put her shot wide, and Lixsa Arlet Sandavol did the same with a header in the 84th. On the Mitchell side, Katie McBride ripped a shot in the 88th minute but was denied by SVC keeper Katie Raymond. 

Both goals in regulation came in the first half, with the Mountaineers opening the scoring in the eighth minute off the foot of Abigail Rosas for her first score of the season. Mitchell then responded in the 37th minute behind a tally by Alexandra Mahar, her second of the year. Mahar was a force on offense for the Mariners all day, recording five of the team's eight shots.

The Mountaineers held a 20-8 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in corner kicks. Raymond finished with two saves while Woodford stopped eight shots for the Mariners.

Mitchell (1-9-0, 1-4-0 NECC) will next play at Lesley University on Wednesday, October 16 at 8 p.m.