Box Score BOSTON, Mass.--The Smith College soccer team fought Emerson College to a 1-1, double-overtime draw in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference women's soccer action on Saturday. The tie leaves Smith with a 4-6-2 record, and a 2-2-1 NEWMAC record, while Emerson is now 6-6-1, and 1-2-1 against the NEWMAC.
Innis Hitt (Arlington, Va./Yorktown) scored her third goal of the season in the 11th minute to put Smith in front. Emerson tried to equalise in the 20th minute, but Riana Odin's attempt was blocked, while Smith's
Jordan Houston (Logan, Utah/Logan) hit the post at the other end a minute later.
Alanna Lynch (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) made seven saves, keeping the Lions off the board in the first half by stifling an effort on goal from Samantha O'Donovan in the 40th minute to preserve Smith's 1-0 lead at halftime.
Houston tested Emerson goalie Melanie Escobar in the 53rd minute, while Lynch stopped a shot from Alyssa Giannone three minutes later. Emerson did get the equaliser in the 65th minute when the ball rebounded out to Mollie Coyne, who beat Lynch to the top left.
Neither team could find another goal, and the Pioneers headed to overtime for the fourth time this season. Chances were hard to come by in the extra period, as O'Donovan blasted Emerson's only attempt in the first OT high, and
GiGi Ross (Colt's Neck, N.J./Colt's Neck) saw her shot saved by Escobar in the second overtime.
The result leaves Smith with seven points, right in the thick of the NEWMAC playoff race. The Pioneers play three of their final five games at home as they search for their first NEWMAC tournament berth since 2007. The first of those will be on October 19, when the Pioneers host MIT at noon. Emerson will travel to Wheaton College on October 15.
