Carnegie Mellon Outduels Allegheny in Overtime
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Rachel Contopoulos scored four minutes into the first overtime period to lift Carnegie Mellon to a 2-1 victory over Allegheny in women's soccer action on Wednesday night. Playing through intermittent rain, the Gators leveled the score midway through the second half and had several chances to move in front late in regulation, but the Tartans gained the advantage during bonus play before securing the key regional win.
In the 59th minute, junior Ashley Lehr headed home her first goal of the season after burying Kira Kliment's corner kick into the near post. Allegheny (4-3-1) drew level with the finish, which spotted CMU a one-goal lead late in the opening frame. Savina Reid picked off an Allegheny defender and made a one-touch chip past the reach of net minder Emily Karr for her second goal of the campaign seven minutes before halftime.
After outshooting their opponents by a 141-28 margin through the first seven games of the year, the Gators were outshot for the first time against the Tartans. Carnegie Mellon (5-2-1) orchestrated a 12-10 advantage in opportunities while holding the Allegheny attack to its lowest output of the season.
Allegheny authored the last four shots in regulation, including a header by Megan Halsch with 30 seconds left in the second half that was saved by Anna Albi. Minutes earlier, the Gators had a marvelous opportunity as a ball sent into the box created a scramble inside the six. The ball bounced between Allegheny's attackers and the CMU defenders, but the Gators were unable to manufacture a shot.
Lehr got the first crack for either team in overtime, but her shot 30 seconds into the extra time sailed wide. Three minutes later, a corner opportunity set up the Tartans' game-winning finish. Alex Vanegas served the corner into the box where Savina Reid re-directed the ball to Contopoulos, who got past the last defender and tapped her third strike of the season across the goal line. The game-winner looked to have been cleared off the line, but the referee signaled that the rolling bid had crossed.
Wednesday marked the third consecutive outing in which Allegheny has gone to overtime and the fourth overtime battle in eight matches this season. The Gators are 1-2-1 in extended action.
