Endicott Pulls Out 2-1 2OT Win Over Curry on Senior Day

BEVERLY, Mass. - On a day in which the Endicott women's soccer team celebrated the careers of Delaney Caggiano (Bristol, Conn.), Sharlotte Pernice (West Springfield, Mass.) and Mary Verneris (Hamden, Conn.), the ending was sweet as the Gulls claimed a dramatic 2-1 win in double overtime. With the win, the Gulls improve to 9-4-4 (6-1-1 CCC) while Curry falls to 8-9-1 (1-5-1 CCC).

Once the pre-match ceremonies for the trio of seniors ended, the action got underway. Curry would start quick, registering the first five shots of the contest, causing Endicott keeper Kayla Wentworth (Taunton, Mass.) to make one save. The Gulls would then settle and counter with an offensive outburst of their own, registering the next nine straight shots, including the first goal of the contest at the 21:59 mark in the first half. Hannah Pesci (Windham, N.H.) was able  to snipe a shot with her left foot from the top right corner of the box. The junior's shot edged right inside the left post and into the netting, putting the Gulls up 1-0 for her fourth of the season.

The Colonels would answer just under 10 minutes later when Tayla Randall (Walpole, Mass.) was able to launch a shot from 33 yards out after a defender deflected her pass in the run of play. Randall's high shot was able to glance of the hands of Wentworth and knot the match at 1-1 in the 31st minute.

Endicott would dominate the remainder of the first half, holding a 17-7 edge in shots after one, but couldn't score, leaving the match tied 1-1 at half.

The second half would see the Gulls put up even more of an offensive clinic, out-shooting the Colonels by a 33-6 margin, including an 8-1 edge in shots on goal. Endicott's Wentworth came up huge towards the end of regulation, making a diving, point blank save to preserve the tie in the 86th minute. Randall was able to get behind the Endicott defense, causing Wentworth to sprint from her back line and make a diving save right at the top of the box. Despite the advantage, no shots found the back of the net, meaning the two teams would go to overtime.

Without a tally in the first overtime, the two squads would move on to a second overtime. Once there, Endicott would claim the game-winner off the foot of sophomore Jillian Presser (Trumbull, Conn.), at the 101:01 mark. Pesci was able to feed a long cross into the box that Presser gathered quickly and fired a left-footed shot towards the upper near corner to give the Gulls the 2-1 double overtime win. The goal was Presser's third of the season, and second in as many matches.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE 

• With Presser's goal lifting Endicott to 6-1-1 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play, it looks as though the Gulls have the inside track to the top seed in the upcoming CCC tournament.
• Pesci's goal gives her four on the season, which ties her with Madeleine Cheney (Bow, N.H.), Pernice, and Gabriella Prisco (West Haven, Conn.) for the team lead.
• The senior class of Caggiano, Pernice and Verneris have helped to lead Endicott to a 44-21-10 record overall, and a 26-6-3 record in CCC play as they look to wrap up the regular season on Tuesday.
• Endicott is now 22-2 all-time against Curry and have won the last 14 straight meetings between the two programs.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott will host Keene St. in non-conference play on Tuesday to wrap up the regular season, while Curry host Gordon on Tuesday night for Senior Day to end the regular season.

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - David Le '10)