Gaan Saves Lynx in PKs to Win Third Straight NECC Title

Posted: Nov 09, 2019

GAME OVERVIEW:

MEDFORD, MA. -- It went all the way to penalty kicks, but the Lesley Women's soccer team defeated Elms College to take home their third straight NECC championship title. The score was tied 2-2 at the end of two overtimes and the Lynx won the shootout 4-3. The Lynx move to 14-3-2 on the season, while the Blazers finished out at 11-7-3.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

It was all Lynx in the first half, as they outshot Elms seven to one and managed to score first. The Blazers defense was almost able to hold them off, but the Lynx found a crack in the 42nd minute.
Maddy Dietrick put the Lynx up 1-0 after heading in a corner kick by Kerrie Larson. It was goal number five of the year for Dietrick and Larson earned her eighth assist.
The second half began where the first left off, with the Lynx on the attack. They took the first three shots of the half, with the third resulting in a beautiful goal by Claire Hounslow. Hounslow managed to fight through contact in the box and finish with a shot into the back of the net while falling over to put Lesley up comfortably 2-0.
All comfort was gone jsut a few minutes later, when Elms found a crack of their own. Paige Silva scored off of an Elaina Vilar corner to bring the Blazers within one goal.
Three minutes later, the Lynx lead was gone. Jordan Bailey recovered a ball that Lynx defenders headed away from goalie Brittley Gaan, who was attempting to grab it. Bailey found herself with a clear shot and tied the match at two.
Despite the early fireworks, the second half closed out silently with both teams knotted at two. Chloe Kouyoumdjian and Tayla Mayberry had chances for the Lynx, but Rebecca Molin saved both shots for the Blazers.
The first overtime period saw the Lynx on the attack, as they outshot Elms four to none. Molin and Mayberry had another showdown late in the ten minute period. Mayberry had a streaking breakaway up the left side and put a shot on Molin, who blocked it right out to Mayberry. Mayberry's second shot was deflected out of bounds by a diving Molin and the period ended with no score.
Lesley had chances again in the second overtime, but Molin kept them from winning outright. They again outshot the Blazers four to none, but it came at a cost. Hounslow and Molin collided as Hounslow chased down a long pass and Hounslow had to come out of the game with time ticking down.
As neither team got nothing done in overtime, the match went to a penalty shootout with a championship on the line.
The Lynx caught a break on Elms' first shot when Shannon Denault's shot hit the crossbar and deflected straight down in front of the net next to Gaan.
Lesley was successful on all four of their attempts, with scores coming from Alexandria Torres, Dietrick, Katelyn Scott, and Kouyoumdjian.
Elms made their next three attempts after Denault's miss, but Gaan came up with a big save on Haley Richard's attempt to keep the Blazers from scoring on their fifth and final attempt and bring the Lynx to title with a 4-3 shootout victory.
Dietrick was named the MVP of the tournament, while Torres, Hounslow, and Sophie Smurthwaite made the All-Tournament team.
Molin had an incredible day for the Blazers, saving fifteen of seventeen shots, but could not shut the Lynx down during the shootout. Gaan saved two of four shots during regular play and came up with the huge clinching save in the shootout.