BEVERLY, Mass.- Coming off of a win against a bitter CCC rival, Endicott wanted to keep their momentum and win streak going as they played host to the Beavers of Babson on Tuesday night. With sophomore Laura Wysocki (Somers, Conn.) coming off of a game in which she scored her first two collegiate goals, the forward remained an offensive force as she netted her third of the season in regulation before Taylor Geas (Somers, Conn.) notched the game winner in overtime. Endicott now improves to 5-3-1 after winning their fifth straight match and Babson drops to 6-1-1.
The Gulls, who have now handed two teams their only losses of the season in their last two matches, used a constant offensive push to wear down the Babson back line and create multiple offensive chances as the match progressed. Heather Moody (Dunstable, Mass.) led Endicott with two shots on goal as the team totaled six compared to five for Babson. Overall, the Gulls outshot the Beavers 21-6 as they controlled the pace of the match from start to finish.
Babson was able to get on the scoreboard relatively early as they took advantage of a miscue by Endicott deep into the home territory. Jenny Moore (Duxbury, Mass.) was able to get by Endicott's last line of defense and put a ball on frame that was originally saved by a sprinting Endicott defender. The rebound caromed right back to Moore and she crossed to a streaking Olivia Kerester (Chappaqua, N.Y.) who was able to bury it past Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) for her second of the season. The assist by Moore was her second of the season and 12th point of the campaign.
From that point on, Endicott's back line would not allow any shots or runs to go unchallenged and the group would stiffen noticeably. The Gulls, down 1-0 at the half, continued to push forward and pour on the pressure early and often in the second. Madison Missinne (Canton, Conn.) put forth a gritty performance as she provided a spark offensively down the right wing. Her speed and ability to break down defenders one on one eventually rewarded her as she tallied and assist in the 55th minute. Missinne, possessing the ball on the right part of the box, left a pass for Wysocki who ran on and blasted a shot that went off the Babson keeper's hands and into the back of the net.
Endicott would continue to impose their will on the back line as Sarah Person (Holden, Mass.) in particular played outstanding defense the entire night. The senior cut off any quality chances that were developing for the Beavers by either regaining possession of the ball or cutting off runs and forcing the offensive players out wide to the sideline. The midfield for the Gulls played outstanding soccer in the second half and created chances consistently. Ashley Mueskes (Georgetown, Mass.) played a solid match fundamentally and showed good vision while creating quality possession.
The match would head into overtime tied at 1-1 as neither team could find the back of the net during regulation. Both Donnelly and Babson keeper Melina Kapotsis (Watertown, Mass.) were active in net as Donnelly registered three saves in regulation while Kapotsis tallied four. Endicott had a flurry of chances towards the end of regulation between a crossing glance that sailed just high of the cross to a header in the box that couldn't find the net and seemingly used that energy in the overtime period.
The Beavers broke out early into overtime and put the first shot of the period on net as Marissa Endow (Worcester, Mass.) snapped a ball on frame that Donnelly scooped up and tossed up the sideline for a quick outlet. Endicott would counter quickly and ultimately take home the victory after the lone offensive chance for Babson. Taylor Geas came in for Leann Card (Paxton, Mass.) in the 94th minute and immediately got involved in the play. A corner kick from Mueskes could only be partially cleared by the Babson backline and would ultimately find Geas who lofted a shot high in the 97th minute. Keeping the pressure on, Audrey Parolin (Cumberland, Maine) would crack a shot that would miss wide left. With just 34 seconds left in the overtime period, Geas took a shot from just outside the box that cracked past the keeper and into the lower left corner for her first of the season and the game winner.
Consistent play in all phases of the game would eventually be the winning factor for Endicott as the front line of Shelby McLenithan (Bennington, Vt.), Jessica Joseph (Bedford, N.H.), Missinne and Wysocki used their speed to wear down the Babson defense. The midfielders, showing poise and purpose, calmly executed the game plan and showed vision in their play while the defense stiffened and refused to allow any uncontested and quality chances for the Beavers again.
With the win, Endicott now improves to 5-3-1 (1-0) and will look to keep their five match win streak alive when they play host to Wentworth in CCC action on Saturday at noon. Babson, who now falls to 6-1-1 on the season, plays host to NEWMAC foe Smith at 1 p.m.
