ZERBA NETS OVERTIME GOAL TO LIFT SAINTS OVER NICHOLS, 3-2

DUDLEY, Mass.  – Emmanuel College senior captain Megan Zerba (Cumberland, R.I.) deposited a feed from sophomore Amanda Roberts (Hudson, N.H.) just 1:51 into overtime to lift the Saints past host Nichols College, 3-2, on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. The Emmanuel women, who came back from a two-goal first half deficit, improve to 2-1-0 with the win, while the Bison drop to 0-1-1 on the season.

Nichols struck first as junior captain Julie Monroe (Whitman, Mass.) sent a free kick into the back of the net from 30 yards out just 56 seconds into the match for her first collegiate tally. First-year Abbigail White (Wells, Maine) extended the Bison lead with a penalty kick that found the bottom right of the goal in the 13th minute.  Leading 2-0, White's PK would cap the scoring for the hosts, as the Saints went on a three-goal tear to pull away with the overtime win.

Less than a minute after White's goal, the Saints converted a corner kick as junior Lindsey Garvey (Warwick, R.I.) knocked in a header that was put into play by senior Lauren Foley (North Andover, Mass.). Although trailing, 2-1 in the first half, the Saints dominated play, leading 18-5 in shots and 4-0 in corners in the opening frame.

In the 61st minute sophomore Alyssa Tosti (Douglas, Mass.) drilled the ball into the post and collected her own rebound only to have Emmanuel's rookie goalkeeper Jenna Marcello (Hopedale, Mass.) make an outstanding save.  Emmanuel then netted the equalizer as Garvey sent a long feed to junior Darcey Sullivan (Dalton, Mass.) at 62:29 for her second goal of the young season. The second half saw a closer shot margin with the visitors holding an 11-7 advantage as both squads took a trio of corner kicks.

Zerba's heroics came just two minutes into overtime and the visiting Saints came away with the 3-2 win.

Marcello (1-0-0) picked up her first collegiate win for her scoreless relief effort that included a pair of saves. Senior Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, N.Y.) surrendered both markers in the opening half and made two stops.  Rookie Bison backstop Melissa Toomey (Saugus, Mass.) collected a game-high 11 saves in the defeat.

Both squads return to the pitch on Thursday. Nichols hosts the United States Coast Guard Academy at 4:00 p.m., while Emmanuel ventures to Fitchburg State University for a 7:00 p.m. match.

-Release courtesy of Nichols College Sports Information