Brookhaven, N.Y. - After two overtime periods and a tie score of 1-1, the Dowling women's soccer team defeated the C.W. Post Pioneers in penalty kicks, 4-3, to advance to the ECC Championship Final. That game will take place this Saturday at Golden Lions Field as Dowling hosts Molloy College. The time of the match is yet to be determined.
In a very physical match, it was the Golden Lions that scored first as Rachel Nelson received a pass from Megan Emanuelo, burying it into the right corner to take an early 1-0 lead in just the 4th minute of play.
Dowling continued to put on the offensive pressure as the back line did their part, keeping the Pioneers scoreless after 45 minutes of action.
It wasn't until the 51st minute that C.W. Post got their best chance of the night. With Tove Eriksson being awarded a free kick just past the 18 yard box, she fired the ball into the top right corner to tie up the score at 1-1.
Both teams battled it out through regulation, but were unable to find the back of the net after 90 minutes, forcing a first overtime. The two overtime periods came and went, with the teams remaining at a 1-1 stalemate, sending the game into penalty kicks to see who would advance to the ECC Final.
C.W. Post's Alexa Niciforo buried her shot as Rachel Nelson was unable to connect on her's. Both teams made their next shots, but neither connected on their third, with the Pioneers holding a 3-2 edge. Karina Rizzo of C.W. Post missed her kick, allowing Gabrielle D'Aprile to tie it up with a good shot past the keeper. As both teams made their 5th kick, it was on to a sudden death shootout. The Pioneers' Lauren Bischoff lined up for the 6th kick, firing it towards the goal, but Dowling keeper Sara Sullivan made a tremendous save, giving the Golden Lions a chance to win it. Nicole Novello made her kick, advancing Dowling to the ECC Championship Final.
With Molloy College defeating the University of Bridgeport later in the night, also in penalty kicks, the Lions will face Dowling at Golden Lions Field this Saturday. The winner of that contest will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
