WOMEN’S SOCCER BATTLES TO 2-2 DOUBLE O.T. STALEMATE WITH JWU

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College and Johnson & Wales University played to a double-overtime tie at 2-2 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's soccer action played on Saturday afternoon at Roberto Clemente Field.  After the 110-minute battle, the Saints notched their second tie of the season, moving to 2-5-2 overall and 1-0-1 in GNAC play.  JWU now stands at 2-3-2 on the year and 0-1-1 in the league.

Senior captain Donandrea Myette (Portsmouth, R.I.) got the hosts on the board first with a goal just 2:36 into the game.  Myette was assisted by sophomore Katelyn Fink (Sanford, Me.) on her first tally of the season and the Saints took an early 1-0 lead.

The equalizer for JWU came just five minutes later.  Samantha Adams (Denver, Colo.) sent a well-played ball up the right sideline to Kayla Speck (Westhampton, Mass.) for her third goal of the year and the Wildcats tied the game, 1-1, at 7:30.

The remainder of the half was played scorelessly, with the Saints owning a 9-6 advantage in total shots for the half.

The second half opened with JWU carrying all the momentum.  The Wildcats scored quickly out of the break, when Adams bent a deep shot from the left side into the back of EC net and JWU jumped out in front, 2-1.  Following Adams' goal, the Wildcats had multiple opportunities to add to their tally, but could not connect.  Sophomore defender Ari Cardillo (Richmond, Mass.) returned to the Emmanuel line-up after sitting out several games with an injury and was once again a force on the Emmanuel backline.

The Saints would force a tie late in the game, when Lindsey Garvey (Warwick, R.I.) sent a cross through to Fink.  Fink lifted her shot just over the hands of JWU keeper Cassie Collins (Oswego, N.Y.) with eleven and a half minutes left and the game stood tied at 2-all. This was Fink's fifth collegiate career goal.

Emmanuel got a great look with under six minutes to go, but Darcy Sullivan's (Dalton, Mass.) point blank shot in the box was stopped by Collins.  JWU outshot Emmanuel, 10-7, in the second half, but the game was sent into overtime knotted at 2-all.

Saints goalie Abaigeal Thivierge (Bennington, Vt.) relieved starting keeper Brenna Smith (Wantagh, N.Y.) early in the second stanza and would remain in net for both overtime periods.  Thivierge made an incredible save in the waning seconds of regulation to help forge overtime for the Saints.  The junior made another terrific stop in the first overtime period on one of the two Wildcats' shots on goal in extended play. 

The Saints managed five shots during overtime, including four in the second extra frame, but could not get any past Collins.  Collins would finish with 12 saves on the afternoon for the visitors and now moves to 1-1-1 on the season.

Thivierge notched 7 saves in her 58:25 of action.  Smith picked up 3 saves and allowed the two JWU goals in her 51:35 effort for the Saints.

Emmanuel plays next on Tuesday evening, when the Saints travel to Emerson for a non-conference tilt slated to begin at 6:00 PM at Rotch Field.  The Wildcats will host Keene State on September 25^th at 6:30 PM.