CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University sophomore Isabella Vidana's (San Marcos, Calif.) goal just 2:47 into the first overtime period lifted the Lynx over the visiting Elms College Blazers, 1-0, in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) play tonight at Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols. Vidana got up over the Elms defenders to connect her head with a Morgan Zack (Bellevue, Wash.) cross off a free kick notching her first goal of the year to keep the Lynx a perfect 2-0-0 in NECC play. Lesley moves to 8-1-1 overall while Elms falls to 2-5-1 on the year and 1-1-0 in conference action.
Lesley appeared to score the game-winner just a minute earlier when sophomore Samantha Rapant (Pittsfield, Mass.) put home a loose ball from the top of the box, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul called on Lesley for interfering with the keeper. This occurred just moments after Elms had their best chance of the night. Sophomore Melissa Welch's (Westfield, Mass.) corner kick stayed alive at the Lesley goal line, until Lynx keeper Jackie Berard (Coventry, R.I.) was finally able to cover the ball, killing the chance for the Blazers.
Lesley had clear control throughout the first half and nearly took an early 1-0 lead when junior Jasmine Sanchez (Chino, Calif.) launched a ball from just outside the top of the box that ricocheted off the cross bar. The Lynx outshot the Blazers 11-1 in the first 45-minutes.
Play evened up in the second half, though Lesley still held an 8-5 advantage in shots. The Lynx' best chance in the second half came when junior Alexis Giusti (Meridian, Calif.) received a feed from sophomore Hayley Wirth (Escondido, Calif.) inside the Blazer box, but her attempt sailed wide of the far post to keep the game scoreless.
Elms' best scoring opportunity in the half came off a free kick when senior Victoria Cebula (Granby, Mass.) sent a free kick from thirty yards out just over the crossbar in the 62nd minute.
Blazers goalie Alexa Rinaudo (Bellmore, N.Y.) registered a season-high ten saves in the effort while Berard made two stops in her first win of the season for the Lynx.
Lesley returns to NECC action on Thursday, October 3rd when they host Bay Path College on Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols at 8:00p while Elms will travel to Wesleyan on Tuesday, October 1st in a non-conference tilt starting at 4:30p.
Post-game comments from Bella Vidana: