NEWTON , MA- Rhode Island College women's soccer team turned around a 3-0 first half deficit to knot up the score 4-4 in the final minute of regulation against non-league opponent Lasell College on Tuesday. The deadlock tie would stand up through two overtime sessions leaving the Lasers unbeaten at home (5-0-3) holding a 10-3-3 overall record. The Anchorwomen stand at 9-4-1 overall.
Lasell's leading scorer and Great Northeast Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week Jamie Harris (Lynnfield, MA) tallied her fourth hat trick of the season in the intense skirmish on Taylor Field. Rhode Island's Alexis Smith (Wakefield, MA) delivered three goals of her own, including the late game-tying goal with 1:41 remaining in regulation.
The Lasers posted 52 shots in the contest, more than doubling the Anchorwomen's efforts (24). Rhode Island goal keeper Maddie Pirri (Bristol, RI) stopped 26 of the 30 total shots-on-goal the Lasers sent her way. Lasell's goalie Ashley Parrelli (Marshfield, MA) finished with 11 saves in the double-overtime match.
Harris put the home team on top in the 21st minute. Harris blew by her defender to collect a feed from Jamie Osterberg (Monroe, CT) and smoked a shot off the far side post and into goal.
Less than two minutes later, Harris struck again, darting down field to cleanly pick up a pass from Jill Greaney (Holyoke, MA) and striking from the right field. The shot touched off Pirri's fingers before depositing into the Anchorwomen's net.
With three minutes left in the first half, Arianna DiOrio (Revere, MA) set up Sam Peck (Woodbury, CT) for the third Laser tally. DiOrio dribbled along the right end line and tapped a pass into Peck who was waiting in position in the box to chip the shot right over the top of Pirri. Lasell enjoyed a 3-0 lead into the mid-game break.
The action began to escalate in the second half as the Anchorwomen started to rally back. The visitors put away their first goal in the 54th minute when Smith was given carte blanche on the Lasers net during an unsettled defensive situation which pulled Parrelli out of net.
Harris restored the Lasers three goal lead, at 56:28, coming at Pirri from the right side to notch her third mark of the contest. Jordynn Frollo (Uxbridge, MA) provided the assist on the play, leading Harris into the shot.
Ashley Choiniere (Hope, RI) responded with free-standing shot just 14 seconds later. Libby Lazar (Wakefield, RI) presented herself in front of the Lasers net to draw the defense and then nipped a pass from the center to a wide open Choineire who shot outright for the goal.
The Anchorwomen carried the momentum forward to strike again in the 68th minute, making it a one-goal contest. This time, Choiniere found Smith cutting down the right wing to put away the shot.
With less than two minute left to play, Smith and Choiniere connected on a breakaway give-and-go play to knot the score at four-all and force the overtime periods.
Lasell was not without chances in the first extra session, taking six total shots including three on-frame. Pirri was credited with three saves in the extra session, while Rhode Island produced just two shots in the period, both of which Parrelli turned aside.
Harris and Choiniere traded breakaway opportunities to open the second overtime session, but the respective goal keepers kept their teams alive. Rhode Island finished with four chances in the double-overtime session, while Lasell organized two, but the final buzzer sounded with neither side claiming victory.
The Lasers have one regular season game left to play on Thursday, October 28th at 3:30 p.m. on Taylor Field. Lasell will entertain Johnson & Wales University in a deciding game to lock up standing for the GNAC tournament.