SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 23, 2010) – First year forward Janelle Pasternack knocked in a header 5:34 into overtime to boost the Clark University women's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 triumph over Mount Holyoke College this afternoon at the Mount Holyoke Soccer Field. With the win, the Cougars put themselves in position to qualify for the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) while at the same time dashing the Lyons' postseason aspirations.
Mount Holyoke jumped out to a 1-0 advantage at the 20:53 mark, when senior forward Jacquelyn Archibald beat the Clark defense to a bouncing ball and slipped a short pass to classmate Jacinta Edebeli on the right side. After receiving the pass, Edebeli took a couple steps toward the net and blasted a shot past Clark goalkeeper Joanna Clark into the lower right hand corner of the goal. It was her first collegiate tally.
The Cougars evened things in the 31st minute on a goal by first year forward Emma Lynch. After collecting a loose ball on the right side of the box, she lofted a shot over the head of Mount Holyoke goalkeeper Elaine Harvey.
Both sides were held scoreless for the remaining 14 minutes of the first half and the entire second stanza, setting up overtime.
It was all Clark in the extra session. The Cougars nearly put things away at the 95:06 mark, but Harvey made an outstanding leaping save on a shot by senior midfielder Laura Hedden. First year defender Jenna Zarou took the ensuing corner kick and placed a perfect pass into the middle of the box to Pasternack, who rifled a header past Harvey. It was her first collegiate goal.
The Cougars finished with advantages in both shots (32-8) and corner kicks (11-2). Clark came up with two saves for the guests, while Harvey had 11 for the Lyons.
Prior to the contest, a senior day celebration took place to honor Harvey, Edebeli, Archibald, Kim Johnson, Colleen Regal and Georgia Markell for their contributions to the Lyons program.
Both squads will close out their regular seasons on the road next weekend. Mount Holyoke (1-13-1, 1-6-1 NEWMAC) will face off against Springfield College on Friday at 7:00 p.m., while Clark (6-10-0, 3-5-0 NEWMAC) will take on Wellesley College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Photo by Doug Keller
