SOUTH HADLEY, Mass.— Despite a number of solid opportunities, the Mount Holyoke College soccer team could not get on the scoreboard, settling for a 0-0 double overtime draw against Babson College in the season-opening New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) game for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
MHC is now 3-2-1 and 0-0-1 in the NEWMAC, while Babson moves to 6-1-1 and 0-0-1 in conference. The draw between the Beavers and Lyons was the first in 26 meetings all-time.
The visiting Beavers paced the way in a number of categories throughout the contest, including a 24-12 advantage in shots (10-5 on goal) and a 9-0 edge in corner kicks. Junior Olivia Kerester (Chappaqua, N.Y.) missed just wide with a header in the 11th minute and chipped a shot that was tipped away by Lyons' junior goalkeeper Zoe Marshall (Mississauga, Ontario) in the 64th minute.
Babson continued to press forward late in regulation and throughout the first overtime period. Junior Jennifer Narlee's (Medfield, Mass.) header following a corner kick in the 98th minute was just off target, as was first-year Jessica Fernandes' (Pawtucket, R.I.) shot in the 100th minute.
Mount Holyoke's best scoring chance of the day came in the 69th minute when first-year Dale Leonheart's (Petaluma, Calif.) shot from distance caromed off the crossbar and out of danger. The Lyons also saw first year Sara Sanaú Ruiz (Zaragoza, Spain/P.P. Dominicos – Cardenal Xavierre) record a number of solid shots, leading all players with seven total shots, including four on goal.
In goal, Marshall made a season-best 10 stops for the Lyons, while her counterpart, first-year goalkeeper Maddison Gierschick (Hopkinton, Mass.) posted her second consecutive clean sheet and matched her career high with five saves.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday as Mount Holyoke hosts RPI at 6pm and Babson visits nationally-ranked Brandeis at 3 pm.
Portions of the above release courtesy of Jeremy Viens, Babson Athletics Communications Director.
