St. Davids, Pa - In what was one of if not the most dramatic win of the year Eastern Women's Soccer beat Rutgers-Camden 1-0 in OT. Ashley Zemeski knocked home the game-winner just over three minutes into extra time off a great corner by Caroline Lozzi.
Both teams came out pumped up and firing with each recording shots within the first five minutes of the match. On back-to-back corners Rutgers managed to get chances but their first shot was blocked and their second whistled just wide of the net. Eastern responded just minutes later with a shot of their own but Emily Cole's opportunity sailed wide off the mark. Head Coach Dan Mouw said "Our first half, I thought was kind of ragged. We really struggled to find rhythm and any kind of connection through the first 30 minutes."
After back-to-back shots again by the Scarlet Raptors, both of which were denied by Adrianna Swinehart, Cole got another opportunity to put Eastern on top but Rutgers goalie Katie Gurba was equal to the task. Right after that a yellow card on Stephanie Le gave Rutgers a free kick just outside the Eagles box. However, Swinehart made another big save on the ensuing attempt to keep the score even at 0-0.
Eastern managed to get a corner as time was winding down in the first half but were unable to capitalize on it. The teams headed to their respective locker rooms knotted at 0-0.
The second half started off with a spark as just 37 seconds in Hannah Bomberger sent a chance just wide of the goal. Rutgers got two great opportunities of their own when midfielder Catherine Fiore managed to split the defense on consecutive plays and get in on net. However, Swinehart made two spectacular saves to keep the game all tied up.
At the 57:46 mark Cole ripped a shot from the top of the 18 and managed to beat the keeper but the ball ricocheted off the post and out of bounds. With neither team able to gain an edge in regulation the teams headed to Golden Goal extra time to decide a winner.
At the 93:05 mark of extra time Eastern was awarded another corner kick. Lozzi played a beautiful ball into the box that Katy Laurie managed to get a foot on but was denied by Gruba but on the second chance opportunity Zemeski hammered it home for the dramatic 1-0 win.
Mouw went on to say "I loved Ashley's composure on the goal. We had told her to be a hero earlier in the game on one of them and she just missed a chance. When the chance fell her way, she finally got one."
Swinehart earned her fourth victory of the season and second consecutive shutout. She also earned praise from her head coach, "Adrianna made a couple of very very good saves for us in the second half. Those chances are made more difficult with the sun setting in her eyes."
The win moved the Eagles to 5-6-1 overall on the season. Eastern will return to action on homecoming, Saturday October 10th at 12 PM, against Misericordia.
