HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 29, 2008) – Junior midfielder/forward Erica Risch recorded a pair of assists as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team went the distance against Western Connecticut State University having played 110 minutes of soccer to end in a 2-2 tie on a cold Wednesday night in Hoboken, N.J. Junior back Amanda Genova (New Milford, Conn.) brought the contest to a 2-2 deadlock as she recorded her third goal of the season with just two minutes left to play in regulation. With the tie the Ducks move to 11-4-2 on the year as the Colonials stand at 12-3-1.
At the 18-minute mark, the Colonials struck first when sophomore forward/midfielder Tina Dias (Shelton, Conn.) lofted the ball into the box as freshman goalkeeper Kaitlin McClymont came up to make a play but could not grasp a hold of it. The ball came free right in front of the net as junior back Domonique Pascascio (Hamden, Conn.) was there to tap it in for the first score of the game, her second of the season.
A little over eight minutes later, Risch crossed the ball across the face of the goal to find sophomore forward Katria Misilo for a sliding kick that was placed in the lower-left corner. The shot totals were even at two apiece after the end of the first 45 minutes of action. The Colonials held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 2-1.
Just over 12 minutes into the second half, senior back Audra Clark posted her second score of the season. The ball was played in from the left side by Risch, as she connected on her fourth assist of the season when she centered the ball for Clark, who then lifted it over the head of senior goalkeeper Shannon Cawley (Willimatic, Conn.).
With 1:37 left in regulation, Genova lined up for a free kick at the top of the box. She sent the ball through, untouched by either team, as if found the back of the net on the lower-left side. Two periods of overtime ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Both squads had some opportunities to capitalize late in the both overtime periods. Senior back Salme Cook had a great individual effort as she ran half the length of the field, weaving through defenders to only miss by inches when her attempt went wide right. On the other end, senior forward Catherine Nathans (New Fairfield, Conn.) was on a breakaway from 30 yards out on goal, to be hawked down from behind by Cook. The speedy Cook caught up with Nathans and was able to poke the ball away for a great defensive play.
Overall, Stevens out-shot the Colonials 12-8 as the Ducks had six shots on goal compared to five by Western Connecticut. The Colonials held an advantage in corner kicks, 6-3. Cawley played the full 110 minutes in goal for WestConn having rendered two goals and stopping four to bring her record to 12-3-2 on the year. Sophomore goalkeeper Jenn Pontier came in at the start of the second half and played till the end of the game. She posted 65 minutes in goal, having allowed one score as she hauled in two saves.
This season the Ducks are 1-0-1 against opponents that reached the NCAA Final Four a year ago. Stevens will return to action on Saturday for its last regular season contest of the year. The Ducks are scheduled to take on conference foe Hartwick College at 1 p.m. in Oneonta, N.Y.
