NEW LONDON, CONN. - Coast Guard came back from a one goal deficit twice earning a 3-2 overtime win over Mount Holyoke in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action.
With the win the Bears improve to 4-5-4 on the season and notch their first conference win of the year moving to 1-3-2 in the NEWMAC. The Lyons fall to 7-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
Mount Holyoke wasted little time scoring as sophomore Sara Sanaú Ruiz (Zaragoza, Spain/P.P. Dominicos – Cardenal Xavierre) slotted a ball through the Coast Guard back line to junior Jentrie Grissom.(North Ogden, Utah/Weber) Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Boohar attempted to close the space but Grissom was able to chip the sliding Boohar for her first goal of the season just 4:16 into the match.
The lead did not last long as senior Katie Clark was taken down in the penalty box drawing a penalty kick for the Bears just over two minutes later. Senior Terry Netusil stepped up to take the kick and knocked it into the the right corner for her first goal of the season tying the score at one.
The Lyons continued to pressure as Grissom made her way back into the Bears 18 yard box defended by freshman Elizabeth Miller. Grissom attempted to cut the ball back on Miller and take a quick shot but was blocked by Miller killing the attack.
The Bears forced senior goalkeeper Zoe Marshall (Mississauga, Ont./Cawthra Park Secondary School) to make three big saves in the first half as the first one came on a Coast Guard free kick from 25 yards out. Senior Brianna Grisell sent a shot to the right upper corner but Marshall rose up and pushed the ball over the bar and out of play.
Netusil was the next player to test Marshall as she settled a pass on the right side of the Mount Holyoke's penalty box and rifled a shot on goal. Marshall again jumped and pushed the ball over the crossbar.
The final save came in the 31st minute as once again Netusil tried to beat Marshall with a hard shot to the near post from the left side. Marshall dove to her right knocking the ball out of play keeping the score all square.
The Lyon's nearly snuck a goal in right before the first intermission as Sanaú Ruiz played Grissom into the box in the final five seconds. Grissom got a shot off in time but sent the ball over the goal making the halftime score 1-1.
In the second half Mount Holyoke once again took a one goal lead as sophomore Dale Leonheart (Petaluma, Calif./St. Vincent de Paul) sent a corner kick into the center of the Coast Guard penalty box in the 69th minute. Sanaú Ruiz came charging in a knocked a header into the back of the net for her third goal of the season.
Under four minutes later Netusil answered the call to tie the game once again as Grisell crossed a dangerous corner into the Lyon's penalty box. Marshall punched the ball away but the clearance landed at Netusil's feet. Netusil settled the ball and hammered a shot to the left corner for her second goal of the game tying the score at two.
The Bears had the best chance to win the game in regulation as Clark found freshman Lydia Van Winkle with a pass at the top of Mount Holyoke's 18 yard box. Van Winkle hit a one time shot that beat Marshall but hit off the cross bar. Marshall was able to quickly collect the rebound and end the attack.
For the eighth time this season Coast Guard headed to overtime and put away the game winner at the 97:05 mark. Miller sent a free kick into the offensive third bouncing and reaching the feet of Clark on the left side. Clark took a touch and hit a shot to opposite post for her second game winning goal of the season and her fourth goal of the year.
Boohar (4-5-4) made three saves on five shots on goal. She is second in the conference with 80 saves on the year. Marshall (6-5) made six saves on nine shots on goal. She has tallied 93 saves on the season.
Mount Holyoke will be back on the road on Saturday facing Wheaton College at 1:00pm. Coast Guard is back in action on Thursday, as they travel to play UMass-Dartmouth in nonconference action. Game time is 7:00.
