Women's Soccer Battles To 3-3 Tie vs. William Paterson In Season Opener
HAVERFORD, Pa. – The University of Scranton women's soccer team jumped out to an early lead, but settled for a 3-3 tie in its season opener against William Paterson in the Haverford Kickoff Classic at Walton Field at Haverford College.
With the game tied after two overtimes, the teams went to penalty kicks in order to determine who would advance to Sunday's championship game. William Paterson won the penalty kicks, 4-1, to advance to the title game, but the game is officially recorded as a draw.
The Royals (0-0-1) received goals from sophomore midfielder Megan Gilmartin (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock), sophomore forward Kelsey O'Kane (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) and freshman forward Gianna Vitolo (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls). Junior forward Samantha Russo (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) added two assists.
Scranton jumped ahead when Gilmartin lofted a shot over the William Paterson goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. A little more than six minutes later, Russo fed Vitolo in front of the net to give the Royals a 2-0 lead at the 28:28 mark.
After William Paterson (0-0-1) rallied to tie the game at 2, Russo sent a cross in front of the net to O'Kane, whose shot found the back of the net from six yards out for a 3-2 Scranton lead at 60:16.
That lead was short-lived, however, as William Paterson scored 2:22 later on the second goal of the game by senior midfielder Kaela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), who converted on a corner kick.
The game remained tied through two overtimes. The Pioneers had the best chance to win, but Scranton junior goalkeeper Kelsy McAnelly (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) made her third save of the match to keep the game knotted at 3.
Scranton outshot William Paterson, 20-8, but William Paterson got four saves each from junior goalkeepers Mary Jane Seiler (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville) and Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley).
The Royals will face Arcadia University on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the consolation game at Walton Field.
--ROYALS--
