Rockville Centre, N.Y. – In a double-overtime thriller, the second-seeded Molloy women's soccer team defeated the third-seeded Queens College Knights, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at John A. Darcy Field. The Lions head to the ECC Final for the sixth time in the last seven seasons improving to 7-6-3, while the Knights conclude the season 9-5-4.
How it Happened
- The opening 20 minutes were a defensive battle, as neither team created a quality scoring chance. Molloy outshot Queens, 3-1, but neither side recorded a shot on goal.
- The Lions took advantage of their first shot on target in the 27th minute. Junior Emily Scali made two moves around a defender before firing a shot off the far post and into the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
- The cardinal and white continued to gain momentum over the next 10 minutes, collecting two shots on goal, but both were saved by Queens goalkeeper Samantha Hines-Hirsch.
- With 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Queens midfielder Anna Tavantzis looked for the equalizer with a blistering shot, but senior goalkeeper Elyse Muñoz made the save as the headed into halftime, 1-0.
- Much like the first half, the second half began with a possession battle with the physicality on both sides ramping up. The Lions and Knights totaled three shots each in the first 25 minutes with the home team forcing one save from Hines-Hirsch.
- Queens earned a corner in the 74th minute and converted. Mia Hanson sent the ball toward the back post, where Tavantzis headed it past Muñoz to even the score at 1-1.
- Strait looked for the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute, with a shot down the left side outside the 18-yard box, but her shot was saved.
- The cardinal and white had two chances in the final minute of regulation to come away with the victory. Senior Madison Keenan had her header saved by Hines-Hirsch at the far post before Scali's rebound was also denied, sending the game into overtime.
- Neither team recorded a shot during the first 10-minute overtime period, but the Lions secured the victory with the lone shot of the second overtime.
- After earning a corner kick in the 103rd minute, junior Bella Juliano connected with Strait at the far post. Strait headed the ball off the hand of Hines-Hirsch and into the back of the net to clinch the 2-1 victory and a spot in the ECC Final.
Top Performances
- Strait's goal was her eighth of the campaign and her third game-winner.
- Scali netted her first goal as a Molloy Lion.
- Juliano dished out her team-leading sixth assist.
- In goal, Muñoz made one save.
Up Next
The second-seeded Lions will travel to take on top-seeded Mercy in the East Coast Conference Championship Saturday, November 7. The final is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
