BEVERLY, Mass. – Early match action between CCC women's soccer rivals Endicott and Roger Williams indicated a high-scoring affair on Saturday, but despite one goal apiece over the opening 15:21 of the match the Gulls and Hawks battled through two overtimes to a 1-1 tie. Endicott has battled opponents in four extra-time matches this season (1-0-3) and current stands at 4-2-3 (1-1-1 CCC) this season.
Endicott, playing in their Homecoming game just hours after raising a banner for their 10th conference title in program history earlier Saturday morning, got a game-tying goal from sophomore forward Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.) in the 16th minute off an assist from junior back Betsy Albiani (Stoneham, Mass.). Albiani sent a floating pass into the box towards Joseph who flicked the ball backwards with her head and over the keeper's arms for her second goal of the season.
Albiani, playing in her 14th career match in three seasons, registered her first collegiate point on her assist.
Joseph's goal came just under nine minutes after Roger Williams opened the scoring at 6:38 on a goal by junior forward Haley Carignan (Scarborough, Maine) who slid in front of the goalkeeper to direct a pass from fellow junior Mariah Kaiser (Portsmouth, R.I.) that was rolling across the box. Carignan got her foot on the ball and beat the goalie for her fourth goal of the season.
Both teams had their chances to break the 1-1 tie throughout the match but stellar play both keepers forced a stalemate for the remainder of the match. Gulls senior Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) had her biggest save output (10 saves) since setting her career-high of 11 stops last fall on October 19th at Curry. Donnelly, at times, was under pressure from Hawk strikers and with the help of her backline mates Albiani, senior Clare Mansfield (Stoneham, Mass.), junior Katherine Chipman (Brunswick, Maine), and freshman Shannon Hickey (East Haddam, Conn.), Endicott was able to keep Roger Williams at bay.
Roger Williams outshot Endicott 24-12 over 110 minutes and created opportunities through eight corner kicks.
Roger Williams freshman goalie Sydney Martin (Scarborough, Maine) made seven saves between the posts for the Hawks who are 4-0-3 in their last seven matches.
Endicott, who are 2-0-2 in their last four with a marquee, overtime win over Babson, looks ahead to Monday, September 29th when they host Plymouth State at 4:00 pm in Endicott Stadium. The Gulls and Panthers will be meeting for the third time in their history with the two teams splitting their 2012 and 2013 matches.
Roger Williams hosts Framingham State on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00 pm for non-conference action.