2008 Woodie Awards
Lady Gaels unable to finish against Spartans
Women's soccer loses as San Jose steals one in overtime
Frankie Mangini
Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: Sports
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The Spartans defeated the Gaels 2-1, six minutes into overtime. The goal was scored by San Jose substitute, Nicole Martinez.
The play started on a free kick from about 30 yards out. The ball was crossed over the box to Spartan forward Cristin Murphy.
The Gael defense pressured Murphy, who headed a rainbow-type shot towards the goal. The ball rebounded off the top of the crossbar and bounced back toward an oncoming Martinez, who headed the ball into net.
Despite losing in overtime, the Gaels dominated the overall play of the game.
In the first half, the Gaels bombarded the San Jose Spartans' goal with shots. San Jose was up to the task, blocking at least four of the Gaels' shots.
The Gaels' efforts soon paid off, finally breaking the scoreless tie with a goal from sophomore midfielder Mallory Lee. Lee's goal came in the 34th minute off a shot from 25 yards out.
The Gaels took the 1-0 lead into the second half. However, just five minutes into the second half, Martinez tied the game, scoring from five yards out. Martinez was assisted by Murphy and Jessica Scott.
Despite giving up the goal, the Gaels also dominated the second half of play.
In the final 30 minutes, San Jose State never came close to the goal, while the Gaels managed to take 14 shots on goal.
In the 65th minute, Gael freshman forward Alie Weiner blew past her defender on the right flank. A cross to the middle barely missed oncoming senior McKenna Belzer.
Just three minutes later, the Gaels continued to work hard to score a goal. With a scramble to finish within the box, San Jose State goalie Marissa Dayton came out and finally pressured a Gael shot over the net to avoid yet another dangerous scoring chance.
In the 80th minute, the Gaels had yet another top scoring opportunity.
Off a free kick, a ball was played over the San Jose State defense to Belzer. Belzer was all alone with goalkeeper Dayton, but headed to forward Wiener who was in an offside position, ending the Gaels' scoring chance.
In the final minutes of regulation, the Gaels continued to pressure San Jose State.
Their best chance came off a shot from sophomore left winger, Mika Matsui. From just outside the box, Matsui lined a shot to the far post but a diving Dayton kept the ball out.
Despite the Gaels' continuing attack, they could not finish.
With the loss, Saint Mary's record falls to 1-6-2 on the year.