Freshman Monica Yanez of the University of New Haven women’s soccer team registered the game-winning in double overtime, lifting the Chargers to a 1-0 victory at Kayo Field on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Chargers are now 3-0 all-time against the Falcons in Northeast-10 Conference play. Furthermore, UNH is back to the .500 mark at 3-3 overall, 2-2 in the league.
In the first half of play, New Haven created better scoring chances but could not find the back of the net. The Chargers best opportunity came off the foot of Holly Dawson in the 21st minute. However Dawson’s strike from just outside the 18-yard box was denied by the outstretched arms of Bentley’s goalkeeper. Despite holding an 8-1 advantage in shots (6-0 on target), the Chargers went into halftime tied 0-0 with the visiting Falcons.
After the intermission, once again both teams struggled offensively. The Falcons mustered the first solid attack 30 minutes into the second half. Bentley was awarded a corner kick that curled in to the foot of Molly Alfieri. Alfieri ripped a shot to the lower left corner of the goal but was denied by a diving save from Kim Taylor.
In the waning minutes, UNH finally started to get behind the Falcons’ defense. The best chance came on a pass through Bentley’s backline to Emily Buckley-Matura. Buckley-Matura blasted a shot from just outside of the 18-yard box, but found the arms of the Falcons’ goalkeeper. Just minutes later, Dawson broke through down the left side of the pitch for the next chance. Dawson’s shot from inside the penalty area was deflected wide by the Bentley goalkeeper.
Despite holding a 15-5 advantage in shots, the score remained knotted up at 0-0 at the end of regulation, sending the two teams into overtime.
After a scoreless opening stanza of extra time, Yanez and the Chargers wasted very little time in the final frame. Dawson collected the ball in the middle of the field with plenty of space to work with. She dribbled to the top of the 18-yard box and placed a perfect pass to the foot of a streaking Yanez. Yanez made no mistake, blasting a shot to the upper right corner of the goal for the game-winner. UNH moved to 2-1 at Kayo Field with the triumph.
New Haven returns to action on Tuesday, September 21th when they play host to cross-town rival Southern Connecticut State University. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
