Box Score With only 15 minutes remaining in regulation and facing a 2-0 deficit, American University women's soccer rallied back to score two goals in less than two minutes to force overtime at La Salle on Friday night. The extra frame went the Explorers way however as AU could not complete the comeback, 3-2.
In addition to American's comeback, the story of the game was the stellar goaltending of reigning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week Charlene Belanger. The junior keeper made 11 saves in the match after stopping eight at Liberty in the team's last game.
"Our team showed a lot of character tonight. It was exciting to see us capitalize on the few chances we had against a strong opponent," said head coach Anabel Jimenez Hering. "The way we came back and the effort we gave is something we will build on. A lot of our younger players stepped up and we will take this momentum into our next game."
Both the La Salle goals came in the first half, with the Explorers going up 1-0, 20 minutes into the match. Just seven minutes later, it was 2-0 as Renee Washington followed Anna Dolhansky's lead to appear to put the game out of reach for the Eagles.
Undeterred and facing a large hole, rookie Marley Jennings' goal in the 75th minute got the American offense started. She was assisted on the play fellow freshman Sara Perlman and junior Michaela Cowgill.
Less than two minutes later the game was tied as junior Lindsay Muri made it two goals in three games, scoring on the feed from freshman Ashley Bonner.
The Eagle defense stood tall against an attacking Explorer offense in the final minutes as American forced OT for the first time this season.
It was La Salle who came out with the win however as Dolhansky looked to cross a pass near the AU goal in the early going of the extra period, but the ball hung in the air just enough and entered the goal at the top corner of the net as the Explorers escaped with the 1-0 victory.
After a three-game road swing, American returns to Reeves Field this Tuesday, September 10, at 4 p.m., when the Eagles take on area rival, George Mason.
