CALDWELL, N.J. - A goal by senior defender Patty Clark (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick) with just 10 seconds left in regulation gave the Caldwell College women's soccer team a 2-1 victory over visiting Mercy College in a non-conference match Thursday afternoon at Caldwell Field. With the win, the Cougars evened their record at 2-2, while the Flyers dropped to 0-1.
With the game appearing to be headed to overtime, Clark dribbled down the right flank near the corner and lofted a cross towards the goal. Mercy goalkeeper Becky Pelow reached up and got a piece of the ball, but momentum carried the ball into the goal just under the crossbar. Clark's goal snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the Cougars their second straight victory.
The game was scoreless after halftime, with Mercy creating the best scoring chance of the first half. With less than four minutes left in the half, Jessica Fabian headed a free kick towards the goal. Senior defender Jenna Crance (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) cleared the ball off the line and out of the penalty area to keep Mercy off the scoreboard.
Caldwell struck first in the second half, as senior midfielder Victoria Aguilera (Merida, Venezuela/Saucon Valley) received a pass from sophomore midfielder Samantha Rinks (Corinth, TX/Billy Ryan) and blasted a shot from 15 yards over Pelow's head and into the goal. But Mercy would tie the game in the 79th minute. Claudia Miller gathered a loose ball and sent a pass to Lindsay LeVasseur in the center of the field. LeVasseur's shot from 22 yards out beat Caldwell goalkeeper Richelle Morse (Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley) to her right to tie the game at 1-1.
Morse finished with two saves for the Cougars, while Pelow made five saves for Mercy, which was out-shot 14-8 for the game.
Next up for the Cougars is a non-conference game with the College of St. Rose on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. at Caldwell Field. The game will follow a men's soccer match against Post University, which begins at 12:00 p.m.
MC - 0 1 - 1
CC - 0 2 - 2
Scoring Summary: 1. CC - Victoria Aguilera 1 (Samantha Rinks), 65:06. 2. MC - Lindsay LeVasseur 1 (Claudia Miller), 79:00. 3. CC - Patty Clark 1 (unassisted), 89:50.
Shots: CC - 14; MC - 8
Saves: CC - Richelle Morse 2, Team 1; MC - Becky Pelow 5
Corners: CC - 3; MC - 5
Fouls: CC - 18; MC - 8
Offsides: CC - 0; MC - 3
Cautions: none
