WOMEN’S SOCCER BATTLES TO 0-0 DRAW AT USJ

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph and the Emmanuel College women's soccer teams each posted their third consecutive shutouts and the streak happened against each other on Wednesday afternoon.   The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) rivals played to a double-overtime, scoreless tie at USJ. While the result seemed to have settled very little, it was a fitting prelude to what may become a GNAC quarterfinal match-up between these two teams next Saturday, November 2.

Emmanuel finished the day 8-7-3 overall and remained in fourth place in the GNAC (6-2-2, 20 points). Saint Joseph is 9-4-3 overall and in fifth in the GNAC (5-2-3, 18 points).

Both teams had chances with USJ outshooting Emmanuel 20-16 and having an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.  Melissa Dodge (Watertown, Conn.) made six saves for USJ while Brenna Smith (Wantagh, N.Y.) was also perfect, making seven stops for the Saints.

In the first overtime, Emmanuel's Lindsey Garvey (Warwick, R.I.) lofted a long pass on target to Darcey Sullivan (Dalton, Mass.) just inside the box, but Sullivan's header went wide, only 30 seconds into the extra session. About 90 seconds later, USJs Patricia Nolan (Portland, Conn.) had an excellent shot that barely went wide right. Nicole Mendelson (Southbury, Conn.) was awarded a direct kick after a handball with 2:35 left in the first overtime, but a 40-yarder sailed just over the crossbar.

The second overtime materialized like much of the game with both teams generating good, but not great opportunities for a game-winner, as each team's defense was up to the task.

St. Joseph hosts Norwich, Sat. Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. while Emmanuel hosts Albertus Magnus at 3 p.m.  The five seniors on the Emmanuel squad will be honored prior to the start of their last regular season home game.

- Release courtesy of the University of Saint Joseph Sports Information Department