Bresciani Buries OT Game-Winner as Women's Soccer Tops Molloy 2-1 in First Match of 2011
BROOKHAVEN, NY – Freshman Katie Bresciani (Hopedale, MA) tallied her second goal of the game in the 106th minute to give the Merrimack women's soccer team a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Molloy in the 2011 season opener Friday evening at the Dowling Kick-Off Invitational. The Warriors kick-off the season with a 1-0-0 record while the Lions drop to 0-1-0 to start the year.
Bresciani gave Merrimack a 1-0 lead in the 86th minute on her first collegiate goal. The rookie booted in a cross from Melissa Garabedian (Salem, MA) from five yards away from the cage.
The Lions leveled the score at 1-1 three minutes later in the 89th minute. Casey Filippone found the back of the net from the middle of the penalty area.
At the end of regulation, the two sides were deadlocked at a goal each. The Warriors held a 12-5 advantage in shots through 90 minutes of action.
In the first overtime period, both teams fired one shot but neither squad could score.
Jessica Peacock (Hopedale, MA) settled a loose ball in the center of the pitch and dribbled 15 yards towards the goal. Peacock slotted a through ball to Bresciani, springing her in on the goalkeeper all alone. Bresciani calmly finished the ball into the net past the oncoming goalkeeper to give Merrimack its first win of the 2011 slate.
The Warriors owned a 14-6 edge in shots on the day as well as a 9-2 margin in corner kicks.
Senior goalkeeper Kiley Horne (Scituate, MA) made a pair of stops in 106 minutes of play between the pipes for Merrimack to earn her first win of the season. Horne's counterpart, Nicole Dellaporta, saved four shots for Molloy.
"A very exciting way to start the season," said head coach Gabe Mejail. "Our team did a great job of putting pressure on them in overtime and the whole game."
The Warriors return to action September 4 at the Dowling Kick-Off Invitational as they take on the host Golden Lions.
