MANCHESTER, N.H. – Senior Siobhan Flaherty (Braintree, Mass.) scored early in the 99th minute to snap a scoreless deadlock and lift the Saint Anselm College women's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory against Merrimack College on Tuesday afternoon at Melucci Field.
The Hawks win for the third time in four games to improve to 5-4-1 on the season, including 4-3-1 in Northeast-10 play. The Warriors fall to 5-3-2, 3-2-2 NE-10.
Freshman goalkeeper Cassie Quattropani (East Hartford, Conn.) stopped a career-best 10 shots to earn her first shutout.
Saint Anselm looked to have the match won late in the 95th minute when freshman Kendra Bonczar (Milford, N.H.) and senior Amy Millet (Lancaster, Mass.) had consecutive shots at a partially-open net, but Jackie Sullivan and Jordan Schnopp stepped up to make respective saves at the left post.
Merrimack came right back the other way as Sarah Coakley carried the ball up the right flank and sent a low shot around a charging Quattropani that seemed to be rolling toward the open net before caroming off the far post.
After 98:05 of scoreless soccer, Saint Anselm snatched the victory from Merrimack when it took advantage of a 2-on-1 breakaway. Sophomore Callie Millet (Lancaster, Mass.) dribbled in on the right of the box and was challenged by Merrimack goalkeeper Nicole Curtis before dishing the ball to her left for Flaherty, who booted the ball into the open left side of the net to give the Hawks the win.
Curtis made four saves for the Warriors.
Merrimack outshot Saint Anselm, 26-14, including 14-4 in the opening half, and also held an 8-5 advantage in corners.
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. when they travel to take on the College of Saint Rose. The next home game for the Hawks is Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. when they play host to Adelphi University at Melucci. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.
