Women's Soccer Drops 2-1 Overtime Decision at Columbia in ECAC Final

(boxscore)

11/13/04-- Long Island dropped a 2-1 decision to Columbia in the ECAC Women's Soccer Tournament final this evening at Baker Field. Senior Rachel Biondolillo notched the golden goal in the first overtime period.

The Blackbirds (9-7-2) struck first after just two minutes with a quick attack that left sophomore Christine Gans (Pittsburgh, Pa.) alone on goal. Classmate Allison Andreano (Denville, N.J.) picked up a loose ball in the middle of the field and sent a perfectly weighted pass down the right wing for Gans who had a step on the Columbia defense. With Lions keeper Erissa Aronson charging off her line, Gans calmly fired from two yards out a low hard shot for the first score.

The Lions responded nine minutes later through a great free kick from Meghan Hurlbut. Hurlbut blasted a high curling ball from 30 yards out just under the crossbar to knot the game at 1-1.

LIU had its best opportunity of the second half when Gans picked up a cross with just one defender between her and the keeper. A Lions defender blocked the first shot and goalkeeper Allison Vespa on for her customary second half, saved Gans’ second attempt. Vespa preserved the tie again in the 69th minute as she made a diving save of Erica Chong’s point blank shot.

Blackbirds controlled much of the second half outshooting the Lions, 10-1.

With time running down and overtime eminent the Blackbirds nearly broke through when Andreano sent the ball out wide to sophomore Selima Berisha (Belluvue, Wash.) who crossed into the box to senior Nicole Lopez. Lopez- who scored two goals the night before in LIU's 2-1 win over Fordham - got a good foot on the ball, but Vespa was there again to block it point blank and send the match into the extra stanza..

With four minutes gone in the overtime period Shannon Munoz, who was named the tournament’s MVP after the match, sent a high cross into the box off a corner kick l Biondolillo flicked the ball with the side of her foot off a Blackbird defender and into the net for the game-winner.