SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 22, 2005 – Springfield College junior midfielder Margaret Mertzic (Barre, Mass.) scored two goals, including the golden goal in overtime in the 92nd minute of action (91:49), as the Pride defeated MIT, 2-1, in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action this afternoon (Oct. 22) in Springfield, Mass.
The Pride (10-4-2, 7-1) and Engineers (4-11, 2-6) played very evenly in the first half, but neither team could muster a goal as the period ended, 0-0.
In the second stanza, Mertzic scored her first goal of the contest and her third of the season in the 54th minute (53:02). The goal was assisted by senior midfielders Sarah Killeen (Meriden, Conn.) and Amanda Nealon (Falmouth, Mass.). MIT evened the match, however, with just 15 seconds to play on an unassisted goal by Meghan O’Kane to force the extra session.
Just 1:49 into the first overtime period, Mertzic gave SC the 2-1 victory as her shot found the back of the net. The Pride has now won its past seven matches, as SC remains perfect in the month of October. Today's victory also marks the Pride's third-consecutive 2-1 win.
Pride sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Petri (E. Granby, Conn.) recorded two saves, while Engineer goalkeeper Kat Vater stopped eight shots on goal.
SC improves to 10-4-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play as it next hosts the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on Tuesday evening, October 25, in a 7:00 p.m. start. The match will be the final regular season contest for the Pride.
John Gibson, a native of London, England, enters his 14th season as head women's soccer at Springfield College in the fall of 2013. Gibson has led the Pride to the NCAA Tournament in six of the last eight years and has established the Pride as one of the top programs in the country. His clubs have registered an impressive a 165-75-21 record.
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