Box Score
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior
Gina Della Rose (Prospect, Conn.) netted the game-winning goal in overtime, as the Southern Connecticut State University women's soccer team upset No.13 C.W. Post, 1-0 on Tuesday night at Jess Dow Field. The lone goal came in the 95th minute of action, sending the Pioneers home with their first loss of the year. With the win, the Owls marched back over the .500 mark, improving to 3-2 on the season.
Southern charged out of the gate on a mission to pull off the upset. Just four minutes into the game, the Owls nearly captured a 1-0 lead. Sophomore
Nicole Reverberi (Massapequa, N.Y.) found the ball at her feet after a corner kick from Della Rose and sent a blast toward the Pioneer goal. Unfortunately, the ball deflected off of a C.W. Post defender and out of play.
The first half featured a total of six shots, three from each squad. Neither defense showed any signs of letting up, as the two teams went into halftime without any score.
Both teams surged out of the locker room looking for an early goal. However, goalkeepers
Katie DiDio (Vernon, Conn.) and Nicole Fiero had other intentions. In the 75th minute, Fiero denied DellaRose with a diving save to her left, and just seconds later DiDio stopped a blast from Ivana Babic.
The Owls controlled much of the possession, evidenced by their 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. Nevertheless, at the end of regulation the game remained scoreless, sending the two teams into overtime.
Five minutes into the first overtime, senior
Danielle MacMurray (Griswold, Conn.) found one last burst of energy for the Owls. MacMurray raced around the last Pioneer defender and placed a perfect pass to a wide open Della Rose. With just the keeper to beat, the senior forward slipped a shot past the sliding Fiero and into the net for the game-winner.
DiDio made three key saves in her third shutout of the season, while Fiero stopped six shots for the visiting Pioneers.
The Owls return to action on Sept. 12 when the team plays host to Merrimack. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Jess Dow Field.
