On Saturday, Sept. 2, the Keene State College women’s soccer team took on the Endicott Gulls for the first game of the season at the Owl Athletic Complex.
At the beginning of the first half, the Gulls took the lead as midfielder Mary Verneris kicked a goal in with 5:19 on the clock, followed by forward Rachel Hanna sticking a goal at 14:34.
Towards the second part of the first half at 38:18, KSC fought back with the Owls’ first goal coming from senior Morgan Kathan, putting the score 2-1, Gulls. Kathan’s goal came from an assist by junior forward Stephanie Spitz.
Kathan scored the only goal by the Owls in the first half.
Colton McCracken / Equinox Staff
In the second half, the Owls and Gulls went head-to-head with multiple goal opportunities.
With it being just 1:49 into the second half, junior midfielder Patricia Norton drove past the Gulls’ defense to tie up the score at 2-2, as she launched the ball in the top left corner and scored. This also was Norton’s first goal of the season.
After Norton’s goal, the Owls attempted to take eight shots during the second half, along with three corner kicks, while the Gulls took three shots and one corner kick.
The clock eventually expired, forcing the teams to head into overtime.
During the first overtime, KSC first-year and goaltender Abbie Terrinca held the ground and protected the net from three shots.
With no successful shots by the end of overtime, the teams headed into double overtime.
With 1:03 left on the clock, KSC senior Kali Santino sank the game-winning kick into the corner, pushing the Owls ahead 3-2.
By the end of the game, the Owls had 17 shots on goal, eight saves and 12 fouls, while the Gulls had 18 shots on goal, five saves and 10 fouls.
The Owls will be taking on Colby-Sawyer next at the Charger’s turf on Saturday September 9 at 6:00 p.m..
Grace Pecci can be contacted at gpecci@kscequinox.com
