Women’s soccer wins in overtime, ties for first in A-10
This past Sunday, Oct. 16, the Saint Joseph’s University women’s soccer team travelled to Pittsburgh to take on the Duquesne University Dukes in Atlantic 10 conference play. The Hawks came back from a 2-0 deficit to win in overtime and move into first place in the A-10 standings.
The Dukes took an early lead after scoring two goals within the first 15 minutes of play.
“Duquesne is a really good team with special players and we came out flat, which we can’t do,” Head Coach Jess Mannella said. “We were just waiting to get to halftime to regroup.”
The momentum changed after half time as the Hawks took control.
“We started getting more organized defensively and started winning 50/50 balls,” Mannella said. “It changed the pace.”
The Hawks’ comeback started in the 70th minute when senior Shannon Mulvey’s corner kick was received and headed into the back of the net by sophomore Michaela Finneyfrock.
“2-0 is such a dangerous score in soccer,” Finneyfrock said. “I knew if we could get one goal we would be capable of getting another.”
This rang true as Finneyfrock found the back of the net again after taking a shot from the left side and sinking it into the upper 90 to tie the game with under five minutes left to play in regulation.
Just 41 seconds into the overtime period, the Hawks wasted no time asthey transitioned to get the ball into the Dukes’ half. Finneyfrock found the ball and sent it into the box to sophomore Dakota Mills who made a turn and scored to lead the Hawks to victory.
“It was good that we scored so early, because we were pretty much dead,” Mannella said.
The Hawks’ overtime win knocked Duquesne out of first place in A-10 standings, and put the Hawks in a tie for the top spot.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Hawks will take on the Saint Louis University Billikens, with whom they are tied for first place. Both teams are 5-0-1 in A-10 play and the winner of the game will take first place in the conference.
Coming off of the comeback win against Duquesne, the Hawks are prepared for the challenge they will face in their next game.
“They [Saint Louis] are a very, very talented team,” Mannella said. “We know we need to come out hard, strong, and focused and have a good 90-minute game to win.”
Finneyfrock agreed, and thinks Sunday’s win is important for Thursday’s game.
“Tonight [Sunday] was a great win, so it’s great to end on that note going into such a big game,” Finneyfrock said.
The team will hold an event during their game against Saint Louis on Thursday called “Kill the Hill.” There will be raffles where students can win prizes, gear, and pizza.
The Hawks will then take on Davidson College on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Sweeney Field.
