AMHERST, Mass., September 21, 2005 - Springfield College senior forward Sarah Brooker (Auburn, Maine) scored the game-winning goal in the eighth minute of overtime as the Pride handed Amherst College its first loss of the season, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 21) in non-conference action.
The Pride improves to 6-1 overall on the season and 3-0 in overtime games. SC has been involved in overtime affairs in two of its past three contests. Just before the 78th minute of action (77:51), Brooker fired a shot at Amherst (3-1) goalkeeper Kathleen Boucher. After an initial save from Boucher, Brooker put home the game-winner with a rebound shot to seal the victory.
SC sophomore keeper Emma Kaplan (Ridgefield, Conn.) made six saves in goal for the Pride including a pair of key first-half stops to keep the score knotted at 0-0 heading into the break. The score remained the same in the second half as each squad's defensive unit refused to give an inch.
The game-winning score for Brooker was her team-leading sixth of the season, and that, coupled with her two assists on the year, gives the senior a team-best 14 points on the season. Kaplan has played well for the Pride in goal this season, recording two shutouts in SC's first seven games to go along with an .868 save percentage.
The Pride opens up its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) season this weekend as SC travels to Wheaton College for an 11:00 a.m. start on Saturday morning, September 24.
After eight years as head coach of the Pride, Melissa Sharpe, has continued the SC tradition of winning on the field hockey turf, posting an impressive 120-58 record, good for a winning percentage of .674 at the helm of her alma mater. Read more.