Newton, Mass.-With seven seconds remaining in regulation, freshman Reegan Brackett (Scarborough, ME) fired in a line drive from 25 yards out to lock in a 2-1 win for Lasell College in a thrilling GNAC women's soccer match with St. Joseph's College of Connecticut.
The first half came and went without a change on the scoreboard. Lasell had eight chances to score as opposed to St. Joseph's six shots in the half, but neither team connected.
In the 58th minute, Kelley Downey (East Hampton, Conn.) began on the path to the Blue Jay's go-ahead goal when she broke away from the defenders and dished the ball to Stacey Rutledge (Meriden, Conn.) who tipped the ball in the Lasers net from just outside the six-yard box.
With the pressure on as the Lasers lingered in the 0-1 deficit, freshman Alexis Vumbaco (Meriden, Conn.) stepped up to a loose ball, at 77:31, and sent a bullet from long distance which soared just out of reach of St. Joseph's keeper Cait Witham (South Windsor, Conn.) to equalize the score.
The intensity continued for the remaining twelve-plus minutes as time ticked off the clock and the game seemed destined for overtime. Enter Brackett's crack that flew high over Whitman's head to draw the game to a close. Meredith Hessler (Middletown, RI) earned the assist on Brackett's game-winner.
The Lasers continue on their unbeaten streak in the GNAC at the 3-0-2 mark while the Blue Jays fall to 2-3-1.
Lasell's goalie Elizabeth Stickley (Mashpee,
Mass.) had a fine performance, securing nine saves in the 90
minutes, and Witham collected 11 saves in the Blue Jay's net.
Lasell faces Johnson & Wales University on Saturday, October
3rd at 1:00 p.m. at the Wildcat's home field.