Springfield, Mass. – October 31, 2009 – Sue Silva scored the game-winning goal 3:26 into overtime as the Springfield College women’s soccer team edged Clark, 2-1, in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament Quarterfinal tonight at Brock-Affleck Field at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex.

With the win, Springfield is now 11-4-3 overall, and has won four straight. Clark is 8-8-2 overall.

Springfield poured on the pressure to start the overtime period and wasted no time scoring the game-winning marker. After Katie Mantie’s shot was initially saved inside the six yard box, Silva ran onto the loose ball as it sat on the goal line and blasted home the winning tally.

While the game ended very well for Springfield, it began very well for Clark. It took just 17 seconds for the Cougars to net the game’s opening goal. Sophomore Erin Peete stole the ball from a Springfield College defender and was able to loft the ball over the Pride goaltender, Hanna MacDougall.

Springfield then tied up the contest with just under 10 minutes left in the first half. Junior Brittany Collins outran her defender and received a well-timed pass from sophomore Jen Jahoda. The Cougars’ goalie, Joanna Clark, came off her line in an attempt to get to the ball before Collins, but Collins lofted the ball over her head and into the back of the net.

The Pride controlled the majority of the first half as it owned an 11-2 advantage in shots and a 4-0 edge in corner kicks. By game’s end, SC had outshot Clark, 23-4, including 4-0 in the overtime session. SC also had an overall edge in corner kicks, 8-2. MacDougall finished with two saves for Springfield. Clark finished with 11 saves for the Cougars.

Springfield now moves on to the NEWMAC Tourney semifinals where it will play #1-seeded Wellesley at Wellesley next Saturday. All four of the top seeds won NEWMAC quarterfinal matches today, including Wellesley over Mount Holyoke, 3-1.

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