Beverly, MA-- Going into tonight's match, having already clinched first place in the Commonwealth Coast Conference regular season play, EC finished with a win. The Gulls defeated the Nor'easters of University of New England 2-1 in single overtime. EC came back from a one-goal deficit.
UNE was on the board early in the first half. A Nor'easter forward got in behind the EC defense, and chipped a ball over an oncoming Sarah Nichols. The Gulls were determined to score a goal, as they dominated the rest of the first half. The Nor'easters went into halftime with a one-goal lead.
The Gulls came out in the second half with intensity and desire. They continued to pressure the UNE defense, but couldn't find the back of the net. Finally with a few minutes remaining in the game, freshman forward Paula McGinn picked up her own rebound and fired the ball into the net, tying the game at one goal apiece.
Going into the first overtime, the Gulls kept their momentum. Leah Walters dribbled toward the UNE defense, and found Jillian Zagura making a run down the line. Zagura shot the ball across the goalmouth, which was deflected out by the UNE goalkeeper. McGinn, in similar fashion to her first goal, ripped a shot into the goal giving EC the sudden death victory.
With the win, the Gulls improve their CCC record to 11-1, and their overall to 13-4.
As the \#1 seed, EC hosts the \#8 seed in the first round of playoffs, this Saturday at 11am.
