Women's Soccer Wins Shootout vs. Fisher in OT

NEW LONDON, Conn. – A golden goal by Ileana Perez propelled the Mitchell College women's soccer team to a 6-5 overtime victory over Fisher College on Wednesday afternoon.

Perez scored her first collegiate goal just 4:03 into the extra period to give the Mariners their first win of the season. Elon Johnson played a huge role in regulation, netting a school-record five goals to keep the Mariners in the contest. Gemma Landry made 10 saves in net to secure her first collegiate win.

Kelly Wallace also turned in a memorable performance with four goals for the Falcons. Juliette Dominguez added a tally while Ameilia Schaefer made six saves in goal. 

Wallace took advantage of a miscue in the 10^th minute to supply the game's first goal. A failed clear ended up on her foot on the left side of the box, and she buried a shot inside the near post from 10 yards out.

The Mariners responded later in the half with three goals from Johnson in a span of 7:25. The first came in the 23^rd minute when Fallon McGraw brought the ball up field through the defense before leaving it off for Johnson, who launched a shot from outside the box for the equalizer. Johnson then supplied unassisted efforts in the 28^th and 30^th minutes to put Mitchell on top 3-1.

Wallace and the Falcons tied the game with a pair of goals in the final four minutes of the half. Angel Hoye fed a long ball through the midfield that Wallace caught up to inside the box and tucked in the right corner of the net. She later tied the game at 3-3 with 15 seconds to play in the stanza, spinning off a defender and depositing a left-footed attempt inside the far post.

After Wallace and Johnson exchanged goals early in the second half, the Mariners went on top 5-4 in the 77^thminute when Francesca Zamarripa fed Johnson for her record-breaking fifth tally of the game. The lead lasted less than six minutes, however, as Wilnette Memeus found Dominguez for the tying goal in the 83^rd minute. 

Landry made a huge save with 6:20 remaining to keep the score knotted at 5-5, denying a shot by Wallace on the doorstep of the goalie box. Wallace had one final chance in the final minute of regulation for the winner, but she launched her free kick from just outside the box over the top of the goal.

In extra time, Zamarripa set the stage for the winning score by dribbling past three defenders at the top of the box before hitting a shot off the left post. Perez was there for the rebound and chipped a shot over the fallen Fisher goalkeeper from 10 yards out for her the winner.  

Johnson's five goals sets a new single game scoring record (Division III) for the Mariners. Nikki Hoxie (2009 vs. Newbury) and Maariyah Lombardo (2011 vs. Wheelock) shared the previous record of four.

Mitchell (1-2-0 overall) will next play SUNY Old Westbury on Saturday, September 11 at 1 p.m. The match will be played at Farmingdale State College.