Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Seniors Gina Della Rose (Prospect, Conn.) and Katrina Cook (Westtown, N.Y.) capped off another thrilling finish, as the Southern Connecticut State University women's soccer team knocked off Merrimack by the final score of 2-1 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Jess Dow Field. Della Rose notched her second game-winning overtime goal in a row, propelling the Owls to an overall mark of 4-2, 1-2 in the Northeast-10 Conference. Merrimack dropped to 4-1-1, 1-1 in the league.

The Warriors took control early on the in the first half. Merrimack was awarded four corner kicks in the first period eventually leading to the game's first goal. Lindsey deMont whipped in a cross from the left corner, where Ashley Alnwick blasted a header into the left corner of the net for a 1-0 advantage.

However, Southern's offense would come to life just before intermission. In the 43rd minute, freshman Chelsea Downer (Colchester, Conn.) beat a Warrior defender to the middle of the field. She laced a shot from just outside the 18-yard box, but was denied by the outstretched arms of visiting goalkeeper, Brittany Gustafson. The Warriors held a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.

After the break, both squads struggled to generate an offense. Downer created the best chance in the 63rd minute, when she beat the last defender down the left side of the 18-yard box. She ripped a shot towards the near post that sailed wide of the mark for a goal kick.

With the clock winding down, 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Year, Jenna Mallico (Milford, Conn.) used her superb creativity and vision to create the chance that the Owls needed. She dribbled around the left side of the 18-yard box, looking for a teammate in the middle. With just 59 seconds remaining, Cook flashed to the center of the penalty area, collected Mallico's pass, and fired a shot to the lower right corner of the goal, knotting the game up at one.

Della Rose and the Owls' offense wasted very little time in overtime. Off of a rebound, the senior forward laced a one-timer to the right corner of the goal, beating goalkeeper Kiley Horne for the electrifying 2-1 victory.

Katie DiDio (Vernon, Conn.) made four saves in her fourth win of the season, while Gustafson and Horne combined for two stops for the visiting Warriors.

The Owls return to action on Sept. 16 when the team travels to Worcester, Mass for a contest against Assumption. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.