Manchester, N.H. - After 110 minutes of
scoreless soccer, the No. 4 seeded Golden Lions (14-3-2) advance to
the 2nd Round of the NCAA East Regional edging out the No. 5 seeded
Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University (13-5-3) 5-4 in penalty
kicks. Dowling is set to face the top seeded Pioneers of LIU
Post in the Sunday, Nov. 12 at 12:00 PM.
Through 90 minutes of regulation the Golden Lions struggled to get
anything going on offense. The Penmen kept Dowling out of the
attack zone and did not allow DC to get of any shots on goal.
SNHU, however, fired five shots on target but keeper Melissa
Guglielmo held her line and preserved the shutout.
Neither side produced a shot on goal in the first overtime
period. The Golden Lions had their first scoring opportunity
in the second ovetime period when Allie Merrill found herself up
top with the ball, but keeper Samantha Whitter was there for the
save. With 2:02 remaining, the Penmen offense took the ball
downfield, and had an opportunity in the box, but Guglielmo dispite
a collision, managed to cover up the ball and send if back down
field. Time expired and the game was sent to penalty
kicks.
After, Maggie Weldon replaced Whitter in the net, both Weldon and
Guglielmo made saves on the first shots they faced. SNHU was
able to put the next two shots in the next despite Guglielmo
guessing the corret direction. The Golden Lions matched them
shot for shot and after the five kicks were taken the score was
tied at four with Gabriella D'Aprile, Taylor Messina, Molly
Bishop,and Kayla Mueger all finding the back of the net. On
the sixth opportunity for the Penmen, Tara Murphy aimed to the
left, but Guglielmo made a diving save to give her team a chance
for the win. Ally Abruzzo was next up for the Golden Lions
and her shot to the lower left corner made it past Weldon to give
Dowling the win and send them to the second round.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
