Women’s Soccer Falls at Framingham State in Overtime, 2-1, in ECAC Tournament
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's soccer team suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 overtime loss at Framingham State in the quarterfinals of the ECAC Division III New England Championships Wednesday evening.
The fifth-seeded Lions wrap up the 2014 campaign with a 9-10-2 overall record. The fourth-seeded Rams improve to 13-7-0 on the year and advance to face top-seeded Wheaton in the semifinal round.
Eastern Nazarene seized a 1-0 lead in the waning seconds of the first half. Senior Maleesa Santos (Colonie, N.Y.) served a free kick into the penalty box and the Framingham State goalkeeper came off of her line to punch the ball away. Sophomore Katherine Lawrence (Marlborough, Conn.) volleyed the loose ball into a wide open net from the top of the box with just 10.6 seconds remaining in the opening frame for her fourth tally of the season.
The Lions carried the one-goal advantage into the halftime intermission. The visitors fired six shots in the first period while the hosts recorded seven.
The Rams attempted 11 shots in the second stanza as they pressed for an equalizer late in the match.
Framingham State notched the game-tying goal in the 87th minute. Brini Varetimos headed in a cross delivered by Marisa Parent to collect her third marker of the year.
With the contest level at 1-1 at the end of regulation, Eastern Nazarene headed to overtime for the third straight game and second consecutive ECAC Tournament tilt.
The home team scored the golden goal in the 99th minute to secure a 2-1 victory. Varetimos buried her fourth score of the season and second tally of the night off of a feed from Isabela Desouza to send Framingham State into the semifinals.
The Lions finished the match with 10 shots and three corner kicks. The Rams concluded the contest with 21 shot attempts after boasting a 3-0 edge in overtime shots.
Lawrence led Eastern Nazarene with three shots in the game while Lauren Kett (Norwich, England) and Santos each registered two.
Junior Kristen Farley (Westminster, Mass.) stopped five shots between the pipes on the evening for the guests. Sara Sullivan made four saves in net for the home side.