Romero’s Late Goal Helps Emory Tie Wash U.
Emory University junior Veronica Romero scored
her second goal of the game with just 48 seconds left in regulation
of the top-ranked Eagles' game against Washington University (Mo.)
on Sunday afternoon, as Emory came from behind to record a 2-2
double-overtime tie with the Bears.
With a second half goal to her credit already, Romero was able to
save the day for the Eagles, recovering a loose ball inside the
six-yard box in the 90th minute, and shooting it past
the Washington goalkeeper for her second score of the game, and
team-lead tying fifth of the season. Emory sophomore
Claudia Rowe, who sent the initial ball into the
box, was credited with her third assist of the season on the
equalizing score.
With the tie, Emory remained tied with Washington, Brandeis and
Case Western Reserve atop the University Athletic Association (UAA)
standings with a 1-0-1 record in conference play. The Eagles'
record moved to 8-0-3 overall this season, while the Bears now
stand at 9-1-1.
With all four goals scored in the second half, the best
opportunity of the first half for either squad came in the
28th minute on a free kick for Emory, taken by junior
Lauren Gorodetsky. From about 30-yards out
and along the near side of the field, Gorodetsky's free kick got
past the Wash U. goalkeeper and to sophomore Charlotte
Butker, but her resulting touch shot was cleared off the
line by Bears' defender Nicole Martin. Both teams finished
the scoreless first half with a shot on goal apiece, with
Washington leading in total shots, 4-2.
Emory turned up the offensive intensity to start the second half,
and in the 50th minute, a shot from Romero forced Martin
to make her second team save of the match, preserving the scoreless
tie.
The Eagles, who looked strong on set pieces throughout the game,
would be able to take advantage of a free kick in the
59th minute to score the first goal of the game.
Gorodetsky launched a free kick into the box, finding Romero, who
was able to take a one-time shot past the keeper for the
goal. It was second assist of the year for Gorodetsky.
However, the Bears would answer back just over a minute later on a
similar play. Washington's Kate Doyle sent a free kick into
the box that was secured by Lauren Clatch, who was able to shoot
and convert her first goal of the season. In the
67th minute, the Bears would grab a 2-1 lead, as Tessa
Klumpp scored her first of the season, finishing off a pass from
Olivia Lillegraven with a shot from 25-yards out into the far
corner of the net. The score remained 2-1 until Romero's
game-tying score in the closing minute of the contest.
Building off the momentum of the late score, the Eagles would
dominate the overtime frames, taking a combined nine shots to just
two for the Bears, including a pair on goal, but would not find the
back of the net again before the final whistle. Emory
finished the game with a 20-12 edge in total shots, and an eight to
four advantage in shots on goal.
The Eagles will return home next weekend, continuing
their conference schedule against Case Western Reserve University
at 5:00 PM on Friday night.
Emory Notes
Emory is now 1-0-2 against nationally-ranked teams this
season, all of which have come against teams ranked in the top-10
nationally… Emory is undefeated in its last 14 UAA games
(11-0-3) and its last 35 regular season games (30-0-5)…
Three of Romero's five goals this season have come during the
Eagles' two conference games, including the game-winning goal
against the University of Chicago… She is now second on the
team with 13 points this season (five goals and three
assists)… This was the first multiple goal game of both the
season and career for Romero… She is now tied with Wash U.'s
Anna Zambricki for the league lead in conference goals this
season.
