Oct. 25, 2011
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - One-hundred minutes was not enough to decide a winner in Lafayette's final non-conference game of the season against Columbia. The Lions took advantage of the ensuing stroke-off, winning three strokes to one on Tuesday evening at Rappolt Field.
Maria Machalick scored the only stroke for Lafayette, Brittany Blass hit the post and Lions' goalkeeper Christine O'Hara blanked Emily Valeo and Colleen McGowan, backing Columbia's victory. Erika Thompson scored first for the Lions, Gabby Kozlowski converted the third attempt and Bridget DeSandis added the game-winner.
"It was a great game between two really strong teams," head coach Andrew Griffiths said. "It was disappointing to lose after 100 minutes of work, but there are a lot of positives to take from tonight's game."
In the opening half, each team created quality scoring opportunities. Lafayette goalie Jessica Deutsch turned away four shots in the period including two point-blank attempts on the far post. The first came on a Columbia penalty corner 13:20 into the game, when Desi Scherf positioned herself in front of the goal and was turned away by the Leopards freshman backstop. Deutsch made another solid save on Molly Andrews at the 25:25 point. O'Hara made two saves, both on shots off of Blass' stick from the top of the circle.
Lafayette controlled the action in the Columbia defensive half for much of the second half. The Maroon and White earned five corners compared to none for the Lions and outshot Columbia 4-2 in the 35 minute period. Deutsch was up to the task of stopping both Columbia scoring chances.
With less than 20 seconds to play in the first overtime session, Kelsey Mead came up with a loose ball deep in the Lafayette circle and sprinted out with Deanna DiCroce for a two-on-one. Mead drew the defender to her and passed across to DiCroce who couldn't handle the pass.
The best chance to win the game came with 80 seconds to play. Lafayette earned a corner and DiCroce sent the ball to the top of the circle to Valeo, who found Carolyn Cabrey on her left and fired a shot which was initially blocked by a defensive save. The rebound bounced out to Cabrey who ripped another shot on goal that was stopped by O'Hara. The carom came back to Cabrey again, but she missed wide to the right.
"I was happy that we took control of the game in the second half and overtime," Griffiths added. "We had some really good chances to score and their goalkeeper did a great job."
Columbia survived a yellow card given to Liz Malone with 1:12 left in the first overtime, were outshot 12-10 and gave up eight corners, while earning three. O'Hara totaled ten saves and Deutsch made seven of her own in the game.
Lafayette closes its regular season schedule on Saturday against American. The game is scheduled for noon at Rappolt Field and will determine the Patriot League Regular Season Champion and the host for the conference tournament on Nov. 4 and 5.
