SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Behind an 11-save effort from junior goalie Zoe Marshall, the Mount Holyoke College soccer team battled to a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday.
With the draw, the Lyons move to 9-6-3 and 4-3-3 in conference play, while the Engineers are now 11-5-2 and 5-3-2 in the NEWMAC. Both teams have secured spots in the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament. Mount Holyoke is the sixth-seed and will square off at third-seeded Babson. WPI is the fifth-seed and will travel to fourth-seeded Springfield. Both Quarterfinals games are set for Tuesday (times TBA).
This is just the second tie in the all-time series between the two teams and the draw marks the Lyons first point against the Engineers since a 5-1 win during the 2008 season.
Mount Holyoke opened the game's scoring in the 20th minute as senior forward Ashleigh Hartsock (Stevensville, Md./Kent Island) collected a feed from sophomore middie Liz Rose (South Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham Regional) just inside the neutral zone. Hartsock carried the ball into the offensive zone down the right side, firing the ball into the lower left corner of the goal from 15 yards out.
WPI had a number of opportunities in the opening half, holding a 13-4 advantage in shots, but Marshall (Mississauga, Ont./Cawthra Park Secondary School) was up to the task, stopping all four shots she faced on goal.
In the second half of action, the visiting Engineers continued to control momentum, owning a 12-2 shot advantage in the frame. WPI earned three straight corners mid-way through the frame and nearly capitalized, but the Mount Holyoke defense used strong coverage in the box to hold the Engineers at bay.
Senior midfielder Emily Doherty (Shrewsbury, Mass./Worcester Academy) had a number of great chances, including a shot that was saved off the tip of Marshall's fingers at the left post, but couldn't break through.
With solid pressure in the zone, Doherty finally found a window, collecting the ball from junior midfielder Jane Bingel (Wrentham, Mass./King Philip) as she battled with a pair of defenders. Making a quick turn at the top of the box, Doherty shook off her defender for a shot that sailed into the right corner of the net for the equalizer in the 81st minute.
Neither team could grab the go-ahead as the clock wound down in regulation. The best chance in overtime came in the second as Hartsock broke past two defenders for a shot on goal. The ball went just right of the post.
Marshall finished with 11 saves in the contest, including four in the first, three in the second and 1st overtime and one in the second overtime. For the Engineers, first year Gabi Hoops (Stonington, Conn.) made one stop. WPI finished with a 30-7 advantage in shots (12-2 on goal) and held an 11-4 margin on corner kicks.
Prior to Saturday's game, the Lyons honored their five seniors for their hard work and contribution to the team. In addition to Hartsock, Ally Madden, captain Machaela Wiggin, Jessica Schiller and team manager Lily Rosenberg were also honored.
