University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
La Salle
La Salle Edges Women's Soccer In OT, 3-2
October 16, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 16, 2011
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AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass women's soccer team managed to solve one of the top defenses in the nation, but La Salle edged out the Minutewomen, 3-2 in overtime on Rudd Field on Sunday afternoon. The setback snaps UMass' eight -game unbeaten streak, which had been the squad's longest since 1997 and leaves the Minutewomen at 9-3-2 on the season and 3-1-1 in the Atlantic 10. With the win, the Explorers remain undefeated at 13-0-1, 5-0-0 in A-10 matches.
Facing a La Salle team that had only given up one goal through its 13 previous contests and entered the week leading the nation in goals-against average and save percentage, UMass wasted little time getting on the board. In the 13th minute, freshman Moa Mattsson carried up the middle and played a perfectly-timed through ball to classmate Tori Sousa. Sousa chipped it over Explorers' netminder Melissa Sanger, who came out to challenge, for her second tally in as many games.
After the Minutewomen controlled much of the possession early, La Salle adjusted and began to pressure. Then at 40:26, the Explorers managed to net the equalizer. With the ball played into the box off a corner, Renee Washington's initial shot was stopped by goalkeeper Emily Cota. However, the rebound came to Gabriella Carbone and she was able to send it home.
Minutes out of the intermission, La Salle struck again to take a 2-1 lead. At 47:51, Carbone sent a through ball ahead to Kelsey Haycook. Haycook took a few steps towards her right and drove a shot low inside the post to give the Explorers the advantage.
With the time winding down in regulation, UMass capitalized on a free kick to the left of the La Salle goal. Sophomore Lauren Skesavage took the kick that deflected off the head of an Explorers' defender and into the top of the net at 78:51.
Both sides had several opportunities to score in the closing minutes of the second half, but were denied, resulting in the extra period. Then in the 96th minute, La Salle's Maryam Huseini brought the ball up the right flank and sent a cross into the box that Washington headed in for the deciding tally.
The Explorers, who were one of the top teams receiving votes in the latest NSCAA poll, ended the match with a 25-5 shot advantage and led in corner kicks, 6-0. Fouls were 19-14 against La Salle. Cota made eight saves in net for the Minutewomen, while her counterpart, Sanger, had two stops for the Explorers.
UMass will wrap up the home portion of its regular season schedule next weekend, Oct. 21-23, as the team will play host to Duquesne and St. Bonaventure. Kick off against the Dukes is set for 4 p.m. on Friday at Rudd Field.
