Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. – Senior Jennifer
Vega (Norwalk, Calif. / Cerritos College) scored in the 97th minute
in overtime to give the Mercy College women's soccer team a 3-2
victory over the Knights of Queens College in the semi-finals of
the East Coast Conference Championship.
Mercy will advance to the finals and face the winner of tonight's
#1/#4 seed matchup between the Pioneers of LIU Post and the
University of Bridgeport Purple Knights. The Mavericks now
boast a 13-3-1 overall record, while Queens drops to 11-6-1.
A rainy, overcast afternoon couldn't turn away the massive crowd
that gathered at Mavericks Field for today's game. The Mavericks
came into the game on a two-game win streak, with victories over
Daemen College and Roberts Wesleyan College. Queens was striking
while the iron was hot after beating LIU Post and No. 16 Bridgeport
in the same weekend.
The Mavericks started the game on the attack as a senior Caitlin
McKenna (Massapequa Park, N.Y. / Massapequa) header in the eighth
minute went just wide of the goal, but the Knights lit up the
scoreboard first as midfielder Ashley Martin poked a loose ball at
the top of the box into the open net following a collision with
sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Augustine (Kingston, N.Y. / Kingston)
for the 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. A defensive battle ensued
until late in the first half, when a foul in the box gave senior
Crystal Mena (Newport Beach, Calif. / Santiago Canyon College) a
penalty kick. Mena's shot was lofted high and hit off the
crossbar, however, and Queens retained the 1-0 at halftime.
The Mavericks remained confident despite the one-goal deficit, as
they have outscored opponents 26-7 in the second half this season.
In the 59th minute, Mercy answered on a penalty kick by junior
Mackenzie Cochrane (Mission Viejo, Calif. / Fresno State) to tie
the game up at 1-1. Queens responded just two minutes later as
forward Lorena Russi broke free and scored on a through ball from
Gena Koutsouadis, and Mercy trailed 2-1 in the 61st minute.
The Mavericks continued to push the ball into the offensive box. In
the 69th minute, senior Viridiana Ortega (Compton, Calif. / John C.
Fremont) connected with senior Jessica Carrillo (San Diego, Calif.
/ Hilltop) on a beautiful through ball from the other end of the
field. Carrillo scored after going one-on-one with the Queens
goalkeeper, to again tie the game up at 2-2. Queens nearly answered
almost immediately, as Augustine made an excellent save on a
breakaway but the deflection landed at Russi's feet and she sent it
into the open net. The goal would be waved off, however, due
to an offside call.
Carrillo had showcased her blazing speed against the Knights
defenders all game and continued to do so late in the match, but
couldn't find the back of the net again and the game remained tied
after 90 minutes of play.
In the extra session, Mercy would seal the win in the 97th minute
as a shot by junior Danielle Deeb (San Diego, Calif. / Academy of
Our Lady of Peace) was blocked and deflected to Vega in the middle
of the box. Vega controlled, turned and fired to put the ball in
the back of net to send the Mavericks to the ECC Championship
final.
Head Coach Jonathan Feinstein and the Mavericks return to action as
they will face the winner of the #1/#4 matchup between LIU Post and
Bridgeport on Saturday, Nov. 9. Should Bridgeport win, the game
will be played in Connecticut, while an LIU Post victory would
allow the Mavericks to host the game. Check back at
MercyAthletics.com for the confirmed location and time later
tonight!
Provided by the Mercy Sports Information Department.
