Women's soccer powers Wheaton and Western Connecticut State draw even

September 8, 2007

DANBURY, CT- The Wheaton College women's soccer team held significant advantages in shots and corner kicks at Western Connecticut State University Saturday afternoon but was unable to break into the scoring column, as the two nationally-ranked programs settled for a 0-0 double-overtime draw at the Westside Athletic Complex.

The Lyons, who entered today's action ranked 21st in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), move to 3-0-1 on the young season, while the 17th-ranked Colonials are now 2-0-1.

The Blue and White doubled Western's shot totals in each of the first two halves en route to a 25-12 advantage for the game, while also holding a 9-0 edge in corner kicks. Wheaton starting goalie Elana Cockburn (Chestnut Hill, MA/Brookline) made a huge save off a shot from sophomore Cassie Barbaresi (Bridgeport, CT/Immaculate) late in the opening half to keep the game scoreless entering the intermission.

After outshooting the Colonials, 10-5 through the first 45 minutes, the Lyons maintained their offensive pressure in the second stanza. Freshman Amanda Resendes (Swansea, MA/Joseph Case) had the best scoring chance of the half, but her shot caromed off the post, as the two teams headed to overtime.

After a fairly tame first extra session, Wheaton's attack created golden opportunities in the final overtime. Freshman Emily Hough (Norwich, VT/Hanover) had a point-blank chance with 8:17 to play but was denied by Western senior keeper Jenna Cappellieri (Stratford, CT/Masuk), who dove to her left to punch away the attempt. Later in the frame, senior Lauren Konopka's (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) shot banged off the right post.

The Colonials' top chance came with 5:30 to play in the second session, when junior Catherine Nathans (New Fairfield, CT/Northern Valley Old Tappan) got behind Wheaton senior goalie Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) before being stuck with a tough angle, as her shot from near the endline trickled across the goal mouth and out of harm's way.

Cockburn finished with a pair of saves during the first half, while Kronenberg helped preserve the shutout with two stops in the final 65 minutes. Cappellieri was credited with seven saves.

The Wheaton women will look to give head coach Luis Reis his 200th career victory at the school on Tuesday at non-conference foe Tufts University. Action in Medford is set for 4:30 p.m. Only 23 Division III women's soccer coaches have ever reached the 200-win milestone.

SCORING: 1st 2nd OT 2OT Final
Wheaton (3-0-1) 0 0 0 0 0
Western Connecticut State (2-0-1) 0 0 0 0 0

Goalie Saves: WC- Elana Cockburn (45:00) 2, Stacey Kronenberg (65:00) 2; WCSU- Jenna Cappellieri 7

Shots: WC- 25; WCSU- 12

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 9/8/07.
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