FARMINGTON, Maine - Ellie Smith lofted a long-range shot over the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Roo Sawyer (Londonderry, N.H.) that found the back of the net in the final 15 seconds of play, breaking a 3-3 tie and giving Colby-Sawyer a 4-3 victory over the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday afternoon in NCAA Division III women's soccer action.
The Records:
Farmington moved to 0-3-0 in the early season following the loss. Colby-Sawyer rebounded after its season-opening loss on Saturday, moving to 1-1-0 on the season.
How it Happened:
The game got off to a quick start as the teams traded goals in the opening eight and a half minutes of action. The Chargers opened the scoring on a goal from Eve Van Wickler, powering a loose ball into the back of the net six minutes and five seconds into the game.
Farmington wasted no time, knotting the game at one just two and a half minutes later. Senior forward Emma Dunn (Farmington, Maine) carried the ball along the left wing before entering the penalty area and getting around her defender. Dunn was taken down, drawing a penalty kick for Farmington. Senior Rita Benoit (Hallowell, Maine) took the attempt and tucked a shot into the back of the net, making it 1-1.
The Beavers broke the tie in the 21st minute when first-year forward Halle Clifford (Blue Hill, Maine) scored the first goal of her collegiate career off a feed from Kyri Meak (Winslow, Maine). Meak sent a through ball behind the Chargers' back line, allowing Clifford to run onto it before firing a shot just under the crossbar to make it a 2-1 game.
The Beavers doubled their lead just over two minutes later. Sophomore Miah Coffin (Otis, Maine) ran onto a loose ball in the penalty area and blasted a left-footed shot into the lower-right corner of the net, marking her first goal of the season and making it a 3-1 game.
Clinging to a two-goal advantage entering the second half, the tides slowly started to change for the Beavers as the pressure turned in favor of the Chargers. In the opening minutes of the second half, Ellie Smith lofted an inswinging corner kick from the left corner that deflected off a Beaver defender's head and into the back of the net to make it a 3-2 game.
Maddy Minckler tied the game at three nearly five minutes later. Minckler found herself wide open at the back post off a beautifully placed pass from Sydney Ledoux, making it 3-3 with 33 minutes still to play.
The game stayed tied at three and looked destined to end in a draw until Smith's heroics in the final few seconds. The Chargers gained possession in the Farmington penalty area as time was winding down. The Beavers were able to clear the ball away from immediate trouble, but the clearing attempt found the foot of Smith, who fired a one-time shot over the head of Sawyer to clinch the 4-3 win for the Chargers.
Stats of the Game:
- Shots: Farmington 19, Colby-Sawyer 16
- Shots on Goal: Colby-Sawyer 8, Farmington 7
- Corner Kicks: Colby-Sawyer 7, Farmington 5
The Goalkeepers:
Sawyer made four saves in the hard-fought loss for the Beavers. Aurora Proulx started in goal for the Chargers and surrendered three goals before leaving with an injury. She made three saves before being removed from the game. Lyndsey Valletta took over in net but did not need to make a save to secure the win.
UP NEXT
The Beavers will be back in action next Sunday, heading to New England College for a non-conference battle with the Pilgrims. Game time is set for 1:00 PM.
