BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore midfielder Sam Cristoforo's (Rockland, Mass.) goal with 2:47 remaining in the second overtime lifted the University of Massachusetts Boston women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over crosstown rival Wentworth in a non-league contest played on Sweeney Field. The win was the first for the Beacons against the Leopards in the nine series meetings between the two schools.
The Beacons struck first when freshman forward Krista Ledin (Bridgewater, Mass.) fed junior midfielder Courtney Viera (Fall River, Mass.) inside the box. Viera put a chip shot to the right side at 28:04.
UMass Boston held the slim lead until the 62:18 mark when sophomore midfielder Ashley Cook (San Diego, Calif.) served a corner kick just inside the box. Freshman midfielder Alexandrea Banks (Ellington, Conn.) found a hole in the defense and snuck a shot just inside the right post. The goal for Wentworth was its first in a span of 377:19.
With 2:00 left in regulation the Beacons had a chance to go ahead 2-1, but a shot attempt sailed just to the left of the Leopards' goal.
Both teams had chances to score in the first overtime. Cook fired a shot from 25 yards out that skipped off the wet turf. However, freshman keeper Dani Perkins (Murrieta, Calif.) made the stop just before the ball crossed the line. A little over two minutes later Ledin had a chance to give the Beacons the win, but junior Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) made a huge save.
Cristoforo's game winner came on a loose ball inside the box where she gained control and slipped a shot past Gardner.
Perkins made three saves while Gardner turned aside 12 shots. UMass Boston held a 22-9 shot advantage and Wentworth held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks, including 8-2 in the first half.
With the win UMass Boston improves to 7-4 on the season and travels to Salve Regina on Wednesday afternoon. Wentworth falls to 2-9 and hosts UMass Dartmouth Thursday night.
Goals by period 1 2 OT O2 Tot
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UMass Boston........ 1 0 0 1 - 2
Wentworth........... 0 1 0 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 28:04 UMBWS Courtney Viera (1) (Krista Ledin) - pass in front; shot to right side
2. 62:18 WIT Alexandrea Banks (1) (Ashley Cook) - off corner kick play; shot inside right post
3. 107:13 UMBWS Sam Cristoforo (1) (unassisted) - free ball in front; beat keeper to right side
Shots: UMass Boston 22, Wentworth 9
Saves: UMass Boston 3 (Dani Perkins 3), Wentworth 12 (Jess Gardner 12)
