2008 Woodie Awards
Women's soccer bounces back against Lock Haven
Stays atop regional poll, climbs two spots to No. 5 nationally
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Sports
While the Rock may have stumbled on Saturday, they did not fall in Wednesday nights PSAC-West match up with Lock Haven (2-5-1, 1-2-1), although it looked as if they were headed in that direction.
The Rock won the game 2-1 in overtime, but had to come from behind to notch the victory. After an Arielle Gordon goal that beat Rock goaltender Lauren McManus late in the first half, it looked as though the green & white were headed for their second loss in a row.
Trailing 1-0 in the 84th minute junior Mallory Neubert took a pass for Meggie Howard in buried it into the back of the net, beating Lock Haven goalie Emily Wagner on the right side, to tie the game a 1-1.
"Once we scored that goal, we knew we were going to win that game," Herlihy said. "They began to play defensively late in the game, because they would have been happy coming out of the game with the draw."
The Rock had a few more scoring opportunites in the final minutes of regulation, but were unable to find the net.
"We had a lot of chances to put the game away and we just didn't capitalize," Herlihy said.
The first 10 minutes of overtime ended just as regulation did, the score at 1-1, but the sense on the field was that this was the Rocks game for the taking.
The Rock took the game two minutes into the second overtime, when Cara Kelleher converted a corner-kick assist from Jaimi Wilson for her first goal of the season. "We were unlucky most of the game with our shots," said Chiani, who missed her second straight game with a knee injury. "We converted the two when we needed them. It was great to see Cara get the goal, because she did a great job filling in a role she is not used to."
Herlihy was ecstatic about the way her squad was able to rebound after Saturdays tough loss.
"It shows a lot of character and shows that we can come from behind," Herlihy said. "It's huge for us as a team, and its even more impressive because we were without Alexis (Chiani) and Meghan (McGrath)."
McGrath a three-time All-PSAC-West first-team selection was serving a mandatory one-game suspension for the yellow cards she received Saturday.
The Rock was the dominant team throughout, out shooting the Bald Eagles by a 32-11 margin. Rock goalie Lauren McManus turned away four shots on goal to anchor the defense.
Despite Saturday's loss, the Rock rose to No. 5 tin the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II national poll.
The green & white now turns its attention to its PSAC "crossover" game with East foe Mansfield, who is ranked 8th in the NSCAA regional poll. The Rock will enter the game still atop the regional standings. Saturdays kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at Mansfield.
The Rock won the game 2-1 in overtime, but had to come from behind to notch the victory. After an Arielle Gordon goal that beat Rock goaltender Lauren McManus late in the first half, it looked as though the green & white were headed for their second loss in a row.
Trailing 1-0 in the 84th minute junior Mallory Neubert took a pass for Meggie Howard in buried it into the back of the net, beating Lock Haven goalie Emily Wagner on the right side, to tie the game a 1-1.
"Once we scored that goal, we knew we were going to win that game," Herlihy said. "They began to play defensively late in the game, because they would have been happy coming out of the game with the draw."
The Rock had a few more scoring opportunites in the final minutes of regulation, but were unable to find the net.
"We had a lot of chances to put the game away and we just didn't capitalize," Herlihy said.
The first 10 minutes of overtime ended just as regulation did, the score at 1-1, but the sense on the field was that this was the Rocks game for the taking.
The Rock took the game two minutes into the second overtime, when Cara Kelleher converted a corner-kick assist from Jaimi Wilson for her first goal of the season. "We were unlucky most of the game with our shots," said Chiani, who missed her second straight game with a knee injury. "We converted the two when we needed them. It was great to see Cara get the goal, because she did a great job filling in a role she is not used to."
Herlihy was ecstatic about the way her squad was able to rebound after Saturdays tough loss.
"It shows a lot of character and shows that we can come from behind," Herlihy said. "It's huge for us as a team, and its even more impressive because we were without Alexis (Chiani) and Meghan (McGrath)."
McGrath a three-time All-PSAC-West first-team selection was serving a mandatory one-game suspension for the yellow cards she received Saturday.
The Rock was the dominant team throughout, out shooting the Bald Eagles by a 32-11 margin. Rock goalie Lauren McManus turned away four shots on goal to anchor the defense.
Despite Saturday's loss, the Rock rose to No. 5 tin the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II national poll.
The green & white now turns its attention to its PSAC "crossover" game with East foe Mansfield, who is ranked 8th in the NSCAA regional poll. The Rock will enter the game still atop the regional standings. Saturdays kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at Mansfield.
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