KEENE, N.H. - In the season opener for both teams, the Endicott women's soccer team fell to host Keene State 3-2 in double overtime. The Gulls will have a quick turnaround as they get right back to action tomorrow when they play host to North Shore foe Salem State at 4:00 p.m.
The Gulls were able to get out to an early lead when Mary Verneris (Hamden, Conn.) scored the first goal of the season for the Gulls, just 5:13 into the contest. Her shot beat Keene St. keeper Shelby Offord (Shelton, Conn.) to the lower left corner, setting the tone for the first half early. Endicott then doubled its lead just over nine minutes later when senior co-captain Rachel Hanna (Chelmsford, Mass.) beat Offord to the top left corner to stake Endicott a 2-0 lead.
The Owls would get on the board as the half was coming to a close, as Morgan Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) took a feed from Stephanie Spitz (Hanover, Mass.) to beat Endicott keeper Kristin Hartlage (Niskayuna, N.Y.). Kathan's tally came in the 39th minute, cutting the Endicott lead to 2-1 at the half. The home squad quickly tied the match at 2-2 when Patricia Norton (Hampton, Conn.) scored her 10th career goal just 1:49 into the second half of play, beating new keeper Caroline Armbruster (Stowe, Vt.) who had come on for the second. The 2-2 score would hold true through regulation and until there was just 1:03 remaining in the second overtime. That was when Kali Santino (West Chesterfield, N.H.) finished a corner opportunity for the Owls to seal the 3-2 victory.
BEYOND THE BOX
- Endicott is now 3-9 all-time against Keene St., as the two teams have split the last six decisions, alternating victories back to 2010.
- For Hanna, the tally was the 12th of her Endicott career as she is coming off a career-best eight goals in 2016.
- Verneris' goal was the sixth of her career as she also posted a career-best mark in 2016 with five.
- Endicott ended the match having out-shot Keene St. by a slim 18-17 margin.
FOR THE FOES
- Morgan Kathan's tally was 14th career goal as the senior now has an even 14 goals and 14 assists for her career.
- Santino's tally was her seventh career goal and second game winner.
- Keeper Abbie Terrinca (Ludlow, Mass.) would be credited with the win after saving all six shots she faced, including four in the first overtime period alone.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott returns to action immediately as they will play host tomorrow evening to Salem St. The match is set for a 4:00 p.m. start at Hempstead Stadium. Keene St. returns to action on Wednesdsay when they play host to Lasell at 6:00 p.m. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
