SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Both teams scored in the opening half and the score remained the same over the remainder of the contest as Mount Holyoke College and Smith College played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Tuesday.
With the tie, the Lyons move to 9-6-2 overall and 4-3-2 in conference play, while the Pioneers are now 7-5-5 and 3-2-4 in the NEWMAC. Both teams sit in solid position to secure playoff spots for the upcoming NEWMAC tournament.
Mount Holyoke opened the game's scoring in the 15th minute as first year forward Sara Sanaú Ruiz (Zaragoza, Spain/P.P. Dominicos - Cardenal Xavierre) was tripped up in the box and awarded a penalty kick. Stepping up to the ball, she fired it in at the right corner past keeper Camryn Biasin (Lee, Mass./Berkshire) for the 1-0 lead.
Smith countered in the 26th minute as a free kick by junior forward Jackie Foody (Weston, Mass./Weston) caromed into traffic in front. The ball bounced off the head of junior middie Innis Hitt (Arlington, Va./Yorktown), arching toward the left corner. MHC goalie Zoe Marshall (Mississauga, Ont./Cawthra Park Secondary School) had a beat on it, but couldn't keep the ball out as it rolled just over the line.
Both teams had their chances in the second half of action, but it was a solid defensive battle. Junior forward Emily Smith (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) nearly put the Pioneers ahead in the 76th minute, but her shot went off the crossbar and out of play.
In the first overtime, MHC's Suz Rose (South Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham Regional) had the only attempt during the frame, but her shot went wide to send the game into the deciding overtime. Smith's Lily Eriksen (Seattle, Wash./Bush School) sent a shot in that was saved by Marshall in the 107th minute to close out the action.
MHC saw Marshall record four saves in the draw, while Biasin made five stops. The Pioneers held a 12-8 advantage in shots, while also owning a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.
Both teams conclude their regular season schedules on Saturday. Mount Holyoke welcomes WPI at 2pm, while Smith hosts Wheaton at 1pm.
