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 Kierra Colker's header in the 98th minute won it for George Washington |
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Women's Soccer Wins Thriller in Overtime
Sept. 17, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC -The George Washington women's soccer team snapped their two-game losing skid on Sunday, defeating Vermont 2-1 in overtime at Mount Vernon Field. The Colonials (5-3-0) overcame a tough Catamount (1-4-1) defense - and 22 fouls called against them - to earn the win in what was the first ever meeting between the two schools.
After the clubs exchanged scoring opportunities, it was GW that was able to get on the scoreboard first. In the 27th minute, a scramble for the ball broke out in front of the Vermont goal; UVM tried to clear it, but instead it was GW sophomore Kerry Philbin (2) who emerged with the ball and drilled it into the lower left corner of the net. It was the first goal for the Colonials since Ria Halkiotis' tally in the 81st minute of the Howard game, nearly two weeks ago (they were shut out by both Georgetown and James Madison).
Vermont was able to respond just ten minutes later when, after a GW foul, sophomore Lexie Kaknes (2) sent the ensuing free kick into the top right corner of the net, bending it around the outstretched arms of red-shirt sophomore keeper Amie Kern. The score remained tied as the first half came to a close.
In the second 45-minutes, both sides had numerous chances to take the lead, but great defensive play, as well as some shots that sailed just wide, ensured that end of regulation play would end in a 1-1 tie. The rulebook calls for two, sudden death, ten-minute overtime periods to be played, but the Colonials would not need the second ten minutes.
In the 98th minute, sophomore Lauren Kelly lined up to take George Washington's second corner kick of the extra time. She sent a high, arching pass to the far post. Junior Kierra Colker (1) jumped into the air and headed the ball down into bottom right corner of the net for the game-winner, the second of her career (Colker scored the goal in the 1-0 over South Dakota State in 2004).
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For GW, it was their first overtime match since last year on October 16, a 3-2 loss at Temple. Their last win in extra time came early in the 2005 season, a 1-0 victory at San Diego State.
"I'm so proud of the girls today," said Head Coach Tanya Vogel after the game. "We faced a really tough team today in Vermont and for us to get the win, and get it in overtime, is huge for us.
"We both had our chances to win the game in the second half, but the defenses, on both sides, came up big."
The win was particularly special for Vogel. Not only was the former GW women's soccer standout participating in Alumni Weekend for George Washington soccer, but she was also coaching against her former GW roommate, Vermont head coach Kerry Dziczkaniec.
The Colonials improved to 2-0 at home this season. On Tuesday, they will host American University at 3:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon Field.
