Box Score GORHAM, ME – Sophomore midfielder Alexandra DeLuca (Bethel, CT) netted the game-winning goal to lead the Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team to a thrilling, 2-1, double overtime victory over Little East Conference foe Southern Maine University on Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field. With the win, the Colonials improved to 4-6 overall and 3-1 in league play, while the Huskies dropped to 7-3 and 1-2.
The visitors controlled the majority of play as they outshot the hosts, 33-5, while also holding a commanding edge in corner kicks, 13-3. "This was a great win for our team. We had one lapse which allowed them to score and it almost cost us, but we bounced back and continued to play hard in the overtime sessions," said WestConn head coach Alex Harrison following the nailbiter.
After pummeling Southern Maine with numerous shots, WestConn finally broke thru in the 71st minute when senior forward Allison Oakley (Beekman, NY) scored, assisted by junior midfielder Bailey McCollum (Cold Spring, NY).
Less than four mintues later, the Huskies retaliated when Ciera Berthiaume took a feed from Abigail Mazza and found the back of the net, knotting the count at 1-1.
However, the Colonials offensive surge would continue. McCollum, Oakley and rookie forward Kaleigh Panek (Shelton, CT) each had quality scoring chances stopped by Southern Maine goalie Taylor Canastra – who finished with 17 saves. Sophomore netminder Alexis Lainchbury (Hopewell Junction, NY) recorded four for WestConn.
After the first overtime session, senior Lucy Daniels (Bethel, CT) gained possession of the ball at midfield and streaked down the left sideline. She then booted a cross from the left edge of the box to DeLuca who snuck the ball just inside the far post with 3:04 remaining in the second extra session.
WestConn will look to build on the momentum when they travel to non-conference foe Western New England on Monday at 4 p.m.
