Lady Jaspers Tie Loyola in Double Overtime Thriller

Box Score 

RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Junior midfielder Courtney McMahon gave the Manhattan women's soccer team (5-5-2, 2-0-1 MAAC) an early advantage with her third goal of the season, but Loyola (5-5-3, 3-0-1 MAAC)  battled back to even the match in the 55^th minute leading to a 1-1 double overtime tie this morning at Gaelic Park. Junior back Heather Cooke posted the Greyhounds' lone goal.

“I was pleased with our overall work rate today,” explained Manhattan head coach Sean Driscoll. “This was a competitive conference game. I am not completely satisfied with the result, but it is great to tie a team of Loyola's caliber. Most importantly, it keeps us undefeated in the MAAC.”

McMahon energized the Lady Jaspers in the 34^th minute when she broke a scoreless, heated battle with the first goal of the contest. Teammate Alexandra Konneker came off the bench and sparked the offensive surge. Konneker drove up the right side, sent a cross pass to McMahon, who capitalize on a 1-on-1 opportunity with Loyola goalkeeper Brittany Henderson.

Henderson managed seven saves during the contest. Lady Jaspers goalkeeper Alyssa Bachowski registered four saves over 110 minutes patrolling the pipes.

Loyola induced pressure early in the second half, eventually leading to the equalizing goal. In the 55^th minute, Manhattan was called for a foul in the left corner, setting up the scoring play. Theresa Ferraina sent the free kick into the box. Kelly Farrell got a piece of the ball and directed it to Cooke, who placed a header in the right corner.

 Down the stretch, several scoring opportunities came up short for the Lady Jaspers. Most notably, in the 66^th minute sophomore forward Caroline Morse got a step on her defender, and found Konneker charging through the box. Konneker took the pass and tried sneaking a shot inside the post, but it was stopped by the diving Henderson.

Then just two minutes into overtime, senior co-captain Brittany Duhamel got the Lady Jaspers running up field again. Duhamel pushed the ball to Morse on the right side, who found a seam and served a pass to McMahon cutting across the box. McMahon sent a shot on goal, but Henderson came up with another save.

After 110 minutes expired, the team's settled for a 1-1 tie.

Manhattan travels to Western New York next weekend for a pair of league contests. The Lady Jaspers stop at Niagara on Friday evening, before squaring off with Canisius on Sunday afternoon.