Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--Amanda Grant scored the game winning goal with 36 seconds left in overtime to lift Westfield State University to a 3-2 win over host Smith College in non-conference women's soccer action on Wednesday evening.
Smith, which was playing in overtime for the third consecutive game, falls to 3-3-1, while Westfield State improves to 5-3.
The Pioneers had lost the last five meetings with Westfield State by shutout, but Smith put on the pressure early, as
GiGi Ross (Colt's Neck, N.J./Colt's Neck) sent a pair of headers wide. Â Smith got on the board in the 20th minute when
Innis Hitt (Arlington, Va./Yorktown) picked up a loose ball and let rip a driving effort that beat Westfield State goalie Anne Stack to the left for her second marker of the season.
The Owls were level within 30 seconds. Â A defensive miscue by Smith allowed Ashleigh Chretien to slide a short pass to Amanda Ray, who was left with a tap-in to tie the game.
Westfield State grabbed a 2-1 lead early in the second half. Â Chretien was again the provider, setting up Sarah Sypek for her third goal of the year, but Smith was nearly back at 2-2 five minutes later, when Stack made a fingertip save to push
Olivia Ruiz (Oakland, Calif./Bentley)' header over the crossbar. Â The Owls were denied again in the 65th minute, as shots from Hannah Zannnini and Chretien were blocked by the Smith defense. Â
Smith kept pushing for an equaliser, as
GiGi Ross (Colt's Neck, N.J./Colt's Neck) played in
Jordan Houston (Logan, Utah/Logan) and
Innis Hitt (Arlington, Va./Yorktown), but their efforts were saved by Stack. Â The Pioneers found an equaliser with 1:16 left in regulation. Â
Jackie Foody (Weston, Mass./Weston) raced down the right sideline and beat Stack to the far side of the net with a long range effort for her first collegiate goal, sending the game to overtime.
The first overtime period saw plenty of action, as Smith 'keeper
Alanna Lynch (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) wrapped up a shot from Marshall in the 98th minute, and stopped Chretien's header just ahead of the first overtime whistle. Â The second overtime looked to be heading for a draw until Grant sidefooted home a pass from Marshall for the game winner with 36 seconds to play.
Lynch finished with a career high 11 saves, while Stack, who was making her first collegiate start, made five stops for Westfield State.
Smith will resume NEWMAC play with a trip to Babson College on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Â Westfield State will host Bridgewater State on Saturday in a MASCAC game that is slated for a 1 p.m. start.Â