BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Endicott women's soccer team picked up one of their biggest wins of the season, capturing a 3-2 overtime victory over NEWMAC rival and previously unbeaten Babson on Tuesday evening as sophomore forward Shelby McLenithan (Bennington, Vt.) scored the game-winner 2:24 into the extra frame.
Endicott (4-2-2) came from behind in the match's final moments as junior midfielder Ashley Mueskes (Georgetown, Mass.) scored with just 3:52 left in regulation on a penalty kick to knot the score with the Beavers 2-2 and force overtime.
Just 36 seconds into overtime, Mueskes had a quality chance to score the game-winning goal herself but her attempt was saved by Babson senior goalkeeper Melina Kapotsis (Watertown, Mass.). McLenithan followed up 1:48 later as her shot from the edge of the box sailed past Kapotsis to deliver Endicott's fourth victory over the season.
The Gulls improved to 4-3 all-time against Babson with victories in their past two meetings. Endicott returns to their CCC schedule on Homecoming Saturday with a crucial home match against Roger Williams under the lights of Endicott Stadium starting at 7:00 pm. Babson (6-1-1) took their first loss of the 2014 season and will look to get back in the win column on the road Saturday at conference opponent Smith.
A scoreless first half saw the Beavers outshoot the Gulls 9-3 with Endicott senior captain Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) make two saves between the posts. Endicott's offense came out of halftime and broke the scoreless tie as junior forward Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.) scored her third goal of the season off an assist from senior captain Hannah Schneidenbach (Charlestown, R.I.) to put the Blue and Green on top 1-0. Marinelli's goal, which banked into the goal off the left post from 15 yards out, was her second in as many games.
Endicott held on to their lead for the next 16 minutes until Babson junior Meghan Tyson (Scarborough, Maine) struck a shot to the far post that tied the match. The Beavers would take a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute on a Jessica DiPhilippo (Falmouth, Maine) goal, from sophomore back Katie McKenna (Sandwich, Mass.), her fourth of the season.
Seven minutes later and time winding down in the game, Mueskes put in the game-tying goal to set up McLenithan's overtime dramatics.
