Zechner's Overtime Goal Lifts Warriors Over Franklin Pierce, 2-1
Box Score | Zechner Postgame Video Comments
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – After trailing by a goal after the first half, the Merrimack women's soccer team rallied to tie the contest in the 83rd minute before junior Jenna Zechner (Billerica, Mass.), notched her first goal of the season to win the match in overtime, 2-1, over visiting Franklin Pierce in Northeast-10 Conference action on Wednesday night at Martone-Mejail Field.
Zechner, who led the team in points last fall, finally broke a four-game scoring slump when the Warriors (4-1, 2-0 NE-10) needed her most, as the junior came up with a pass along the 12-yard line from senior Krista Fazio (Syosset, N.Y.) and buried the loose ball into the left side of the net to clinch the victory.
The Ravens (3-1, 2-1 NE-10) led for the first 82 minutes of the match before Danielle Dion (Grosvenordale, Conn.) came through with her team-leading fifth goal of the season to tie the game at a goal apiece in the 83rd minute. The team's leading scorer found a throw-in from sophomore Katie Bresciani (Hopedale, Mass.) and promptly unloaded a rocket shot into the upper-90, tying the game at 1-1 with just less than eight minutes to play.
The visitors had plenty of chances throughout the first half, as Franklin Pierce led, 7-4, in shot attempts and eventually capitalized with less than five minutes to play. Aya Noguchi played a through ball to Caroline Savasta, who tickled the twine on the right side of the box to give the Ravens a 1-0 lead to close out the first half.
But Merrimack would not relent in the second half, one that they owned an 11-7 edge in shot attempts during, until finally Dion converted with less than 10 minutes to play.
Junior goalkeeper Nicole Curtis (Billerica, Mass.) kept the game within reach for the home side, limiting the Ravens to only one score thanks to her eight-save performance. Casey Edward recorded three stops for the visitors.
Also aiding the Warriors was their 10-3 advantage in corner kicks, while both teams combined for 14 fouls.
Next up for Merrimack is a trip to conference foe Pace on Saturday, Sept. 15. First whistle is set for 3:30 p.m.
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