University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Harvard
Harvard Bests Women's Soccer, 3-2
September 26, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2010
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AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass women's soccer team rallied from a two-goal deficit, but could not hold off Harvard, falling to the Crimson, 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Rudd Field. Following the match, which featured five goals in a span of 22:10, the Minutewomen are now 3-6-0 on the season, while Harvard improves to 3-4-1.
The Crimson opened the scoring in the ninth minute on the squad's first shot of the afternoon. Melanie Baskind set up Katherine Sheeleigh with a through ball and Sheeleigh sent a low shot in to the far left of sophomore goalkeeper Emily Cota.
Just 70 seconds later, Harvard stuck again as Peyton Johnson's chip shot from 25 yards out snuck inside the left post.
Then at the 17:59 mark, senior Therese Smith cut UMass' deficit in half. After collecting quick pass from classmate Ashley Hamel, Smith fired a shot from 20 yards out that bent to the right, out of the reach of Crimson netminder Jessica Wright. The goal was Smith's fourth of the season, and fourth in the past three matches.
Kayla Austin came through with the equalizer for the Minutewomen at 17:59. Lauren Skesavage intercepted a clearing attempt by a Harvard defender and fed Austin on the left wing. Austin's bounding long-range shot bounced past a diving Wright to level the score at 2-2.
The Crimson managed to respond, however, notching the would-be game-winner in the 32nd minute. Elizabeth Weisman's cross from the left side was redirected in to the right of Cota by Baskind for her fifth tally of the year.
Following a collision early in the second half, Cota was replaced by freshman goalkeeper Emersyn Pullan, who was tested early. Less than one minute into her collegiate debut, Pullan came up with a diving save to keep the Minutewomen within one.
UMass controlled the ball in its attacking third for the majority of the final 20 minutes of the contest but was unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.
Harvard narrowly out-shot the Minutewomen, 16-15 and led in corner kicks, 8-4. Fouls were 9-7 against UMass.
Cota played 49:51 in net for the Minutewomen and made two saves, while Pullan saw 40:09 minutes of action and registered three stops. Wright turned aside eight shots on goal for the Crimson.
UMass will next face Charlotte on Friday, Oct. 1, on Rudd Field at 4 p.m., the Atlantic 10 opener for both squads.
