DUDLEY, Mass. – Senior Emily Richars (Fremont, N.H), netted the golden goal with 1:06 remaining in overtime to lift the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory in the Commonwealth Coast Conference opener for both squads.
Winners of two straight, the Leopards improve to 3-2 overall at 1-0 in CCC play while the Bison fall to 2-4 (0-1).
Despite holding a 13-4 shot advantage over the first 45:00, Wentworth was unable to break the ice. The Leopards hit a post in the 10th minute of play and also put five shots on net. It was the hosts who would strike first as senior Deandra Flynn (Pawtucket, R.I.) served a corner kick which came out to junior Alana Rodrigues (Southbridge, Mass.) whose shot beat junior Christie Fleming (Braintree, Mass.).
The score remined in favor of Nichols until the 60:49 mark when senior Ali Leach (Stowe, Vt.) evened the game at a goal apiece. Leach scored her second of the season off a feed from sophomore Sidney Brogan (Los Angeles, Calif.).
Wentworth had a chance to break the tie in the 81st minute, however a header off of a corner kick hit the post and Richard put a shot on goal with five minutes remaining in regulation that was saved.
In overtime, the Bison had a pair of corner kicks early in the period, however were unable to get any scoring chances from them. Wentworth had two corners shortly thereafter and nearly won the game, however a shot off the second one hit the post.
Richard's game winner came late in the overtime when Leach capitalized on a turnover in the Nichols zone and found Richard whose shot found the back of the net.
Fleming made four saves in picking up the win for the Black & Gold. Junior Brooke Downey (Middleboro, Mass.) recorded 12 saves in the loss. Wentworth had advantages in shots (29-8) and corner kicks (10-8).
The Leopards host No. 12 Amherst on Sunday afternoon.
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