Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
5-6-3, 1-2-2PL
American
5-8-1, 3-1-1PL
Army Battles To Double OT Tie Against American
October 13, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 13, 2013
WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army women's soccer team battled to a 0-0 double overtime tie Sunday afternoon against American in a Patriot League match at Clinton Field. It is the Black Knights' (5-6-3, 1-2-2 PL) second overtime tie in league play this season and first for the Eagles (5-8-1, 3-1-1 PL).
Despite controlling the pace of the game as Army held a 29-8 shot advantage, to include a 13-4 showing in the second half, the Black Knights were unable to finish off their opportunities.
In the first half, shots by Kimberly An, Mallory Herron and Laura Wilson just missed the inside post early in the period, while back-to-back headers by Ruthie Rosenberger and Katie Holder came up short at the midway point. At the 30 minute mark, AU keeper Charlene Belanger came out to grab a long pass that Molly McGuigansent forward to An. Though Belanger had trouble controlling the ball, she was able to smother it before An could get her foot on it.
In the 74th minute in the second half, Anna Lail's breakaway shot was corralled by Belanger.
Army had three dangerous chances midway through the first overtime starting with back-to-back headers by Rosenberger and Holder followed by a penalty kick. In the 97th minute, American was whistled for a hand ball in the box, but Belanger made a diving save on the PK attempt to deny senior Joey Molacekfrom scoring. Belanger finished with nine saves on the day to tack onto an 11-save performance earlier in the week in a 1-0 loss to Navy.
In the final seconds of the second overtime, the Black Knights booted the ball into the net following a corner kick, but the goal was nullified by a foul. In addition to holding a commanding lead in shots, Army had 17 corner kicks, to include four in the overtime, to just one by American.
Though firing just eight shots with only two on goal, American had its chances in regulation. Lindsay Muri had an open shot at the Army net in the first half when the goalkeeper was out of position, but her attempt was high. Early in the second half, Muri's shot hit the post. Late in regulation, Army freshman keeper Jordan Cassalia, who finished with two saves, came out to challenge a loose ball. She slipped, but an Army defender's quick reaction denied American the opportunity to capitalize.
"This is our sport," explained first-year head coach Marcia McDermott. "There are days when you dominate and days when you create a lot of great chances and don't come away with the win.
"Our team is playing well together. They are creating very good opportunities and taking big strides. We are going to stay confident, we are going stay focused, and we are going to get this done."
Herron, who took the majority of Army's corner kicks, was also lauded by McDermott. "Mallory is fantastic in the air, and has tremendous technical abilities and is making very good decisions."
An, who leads Army in scoring and ranks among the league's leaders with 12 points (5 goals, 2 assists), encountered defensive pressure throughout the game but still managed to rip off three shots with two on goal.
PITCH NOTES: The overtime is the sixth in the series with American, who shows a 5-3-6 lead ... Army stretched its unbeaten streak against the Eagles to four ... the tie is the second in league play for Army, who also tied with newcomer Loyola, 1-1, at the start of the month ... Army (1-2-2 PL) has five points in league play (three for a win, 1 for a tie) and is just one point behind Bucknell and Holy Cross who are tied for fifth place in the Patriot League standings with six points ... Army defeated the Bison is league debut and will play Holy Cross on the road on Oct. 23 ... the Black Knights close out a three-game homestand Saturday when they host Lehigh, 3:30 p.m., in the tip-off of a doubleheader with the Army men, who are hosting American at 7 p.m.
