The Collegian

Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Peter Hunter Alex Ciliento '11 (top) celebrates with Danielle Spann '09 after scoring the game-winning goal on Sunday afternoon against Valparaiso.

Sophomore Jessica Menzhuber glanced the ball off her head to the foot of teammate Alex Ciliento '11 to score the lone goal of the game, in overtime, and put an emphatic punctuation mark on the twice-victorious weekend for the Gaels (4-2-2).

It was the attacks of Menzhuber near the end of regulation, coming up from her defensive position that ignited the very lackluster Gaels offense at the end of the game. "I'm super offensive-minded," said Menzhuber.

"I trust my defenders to cover for me," said Menzhuber, in regards to her moving up to "generate energy" for the Gaels offense.

The final and defining play of the weekend occurred in the 96th minute of the game, over five minutes into overtime, with a weekend that already included a physically grueling 90-minute affair versus Sacramento State on Friday evening. Allie Weiner '10 took the corner kick and aimed it at Menzhuber. "She was aiming for my head," said Menzhuber.

In Friday's action, Saint Mary's used good passing and teamwork to control the ball for the majority of the second half, evidenced by Goalkeeper Tara Larson '10 only needing to make one save in the later half.

Tara Ferrell scored in the 37th minute of the first half to initiate the action. In the 60th minute, a very controversial own goal was scored for Saint Mary's by the fault of Sacramento. The ball was kicked, headed, bounced off the crossbar, and into Sacramento's goalkeeper's hands in an instant. The goalkeeper claimed the ball did not cross the plain of the goal, but the referee disagreed and the goal stood as the second goal of the night for the Gaels.

Not to be forgotten in all the mix was the tremendous work of Larson who completed both shut outs by logging every minute of both matches. A key save in the match against Valparaiso occurred with time winding down in the first half, the away team had the ball and was attacking the Gael goal.

A shot was headed straight for the middle of the crossbar, but Larson gave it a punch to ensure the tie would last long enough for the Gaels to prevail.

The Gaels swept their weekend matches and now have a record of 4-2-2. They have recorded three wins and two ties in their five overtime matches.

The Gaels will have their work cut out for them. They will look to keep their momentum agianst Cal and Stanford on the road.

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