LOWELL, Mass. – The second goal of the match for Monica Yanez (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) came 1:19 into overtime to send the University of New Haven women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory at Northeast-10 opponent Massachusetts Lowell. The win extends the Chargers’ winning streak to four matches.
New Haven, which also won four straight to start the 2012 campaign, improves to 11-4-1 overall and 8-4-1 in the Northeast-10. The Chargers have recorded the most wins in a season since 2007 and the most Northeast-10 victories since joining the conference in 2008. The River Hawks drop to 4-9-2 on the season with a 3-9-1 NE-10 tally.
Yanez’s two goals run her team-leading season tally to 12 markers, the most by a Charger since Alexa DellaRocco scored 13 times in 2009. Amber Simms (Southport, England/Southport) assisted on the game-winner for her first helper and fifth point of the fall.
Natasha Purchla (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) registered 10 saves – her third match with double-digit stops this season – to earn the win in net.
After the River Hawks got on the board first on a Jenna Costa goal in the 26th minute, the Chargers tied the contest just under 10 minutes later. After a shot by Simms hit the crossbar, a failed UML clear attempt went to Yanez, who headed it home to knot the match at 1-1.
The deadlocked score remained through regulation as the Chargers went into overtime for the fourth time this season.
One shot in the extra session was enough for the Chargers to net the golden goal. Again, a defensive miscue by the River Hawks set the table as a failed clear led to a scramble. Simms emerged from the pack and found Yanez, who headed the game-winner past UML goalkeeper Jane Hatikonstantis in the 92nd minute.
With two matches remaining in the regular season, the Chargers can finish as high as third in the Northeast-10 standings. New Haven is currently tied for the third spot with Franklin Pierce, though the Ravens have just one regular-season outing left on their slate.
Defending national champion Saint Rose visits Kayo Field on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m., and the Chargers host Southern New Hampshire for Senior Day on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. to close out the regular season on Homecoming Weekend.
