BRISTOL, R.I.- Sophomore Laura Wysocki (Somers, Conn.) stepped up in a huge way as she netted the first two goals of her collegiate career to lead Endicott to a 2-1 double overtime victory over nationally ranked #13 Roger Williams. The win, the fourth straight for the Gulls, improves them to 4-3-1 overall and 1-0 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). The loss, the first of the season for the Hawks, drops Roger Williams to 6-1-1 and 1-1 in CCC play.
A rematch of the 2012 CCC semifinals, the Gulls knew they were in for a battle with a team that has eliminated them from postseason play the last three years and had garnered their first ever national ranking. The teams, while playing clean soccer, played a physical match that saw both teams withstand offensive surges from the opposition to keep the game extremely close the entire way.
After playing to a scoreless first half in which the Hawks outshot Endicott 6 to 2, the visiting Gulls were able to get on the scoreboard first as Wysocki put home her first career goal in the 64th minute. Having gained possession deep in Roger Williams territory on the right side of the box, the sophomore midfielder was able to chip the ball on frame and send it past the RWU keeper to make the score 1-0.
Roger Williams was quick to counter as just four minutes later they saw a substitution pay immediate dividends when Mariah Kaiser scored on a header off of Kristen Casey's corner kick. The goal, Kaiser's fourth of the season, evened the score up at 1-1 where it would remain for the rest of regulation. In regulation, Endicott made the most of their opportunities as the Gulls only managed five shots compared to 17 for the Hawks. Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) remained busy and on her toes as she recorded six saves in the first two periods.
The first overtime period saw Roger Williams gain the only two shots of the period as neither team could find the back of the net. Endicott, not wanting to settle for a draw, decided to change that early in the second overtime period.
The Gulls pressured the Hawks defense early in the second overtime period and Wysocki was able to corral a loose ball in the box. The ball bounced awkwardly causing her to jump and take a shot that trickled into the left corner to give Endicott the 2-1 double overtime victory.
Donnelly would finish the match with six saves to improve to 4-3-1 as Roger Williams keeper Stephanie Jaques was unable to save the only two shots the Gulls put on frame throughout the match for her first loss of the season to fall to 6-1-1.
Endicott gets two days off before returning to the pitch for a home match against Babson on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Roger Williams also returns to action on Tuesday as they play host to Springfield College at 7 p.m.
