SCHENECTADY, NY – Senior captain
Jenna Ondash (New Canaan, CT/ New Canaan) scored two goals including the game winner in the 110
th minute to lift the Union College women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over William Smith in the Liberty League Championship game at College Park field Saturday afternoon. The Dutchwomen extended their unbeaten streak to 15 games with the win, and will await their NCAA draw with a 14-2-3 record (6-0-1 Liberty League). William Smith stands 10-6-2 (6-1-0 Liberty League).
Caitlin Cuozzo (Norfolk, MA/ King Phillip Regional) passed the ball up the middle to
Stephanie Cronan (Marblehead, MA/ Marblehead) who touched the ball over to set up Ondash with only seconds remaining in the second overtime. Ondash's shot from 17 yards out careened past William Smith goaltender
Nikki Dudley (Chittenango, NY/ Chittenango) at 109:57.
William Smith got on the board late in the first half when Julia
Bernay (Newport Beach, CA/ Newport Harbor) intercepted a Union defender's pass, dribbled up and sent a low shot across into the right side of the net past diving Union netminder
Mia Simone (Rexford, NY/ Academy of the Holy Names).
The Herons' lead was short-lived as Union regrouped after halftime to even the score in the 52
nd minute. Union freshman
Katie Weinstein (Marblehead, MA/ Marblehead) sent a high-flying corner kick that Ondash headed just over Dudley's head to knot the game at one each at 51:27. The two-goal effort marked the second on the season for Ondash.
Both teams had several chances in the opening half, including a breakaway by William Smith junior Laura Burnett-Kurie (Durham, NH/ Oyster River) in the 32nd minute. Burnett-Kurie drew out Simone, but overpowered her shot wide left. Burnett Kurie had another breakaway in the 78th minute, but Simone came out of the net to safely make a save at point-blank range.
The Herons controlled the first overtime session, as Burnett-Kurie passed across to Alex Rieben (Guilford, CT/ Guilford), whose shot sailed wide in the 95th minute. Union's Cronan sent in a low shot in the 99th minute after an Ondash throw-in, but Dudley handled the shot.
Union dominated the second overtime period as
Ashley Brown (Plainville, CT/ Suffield Academy) had a breakaway of her own in the 108
th minute, but was thwarted by Dudley before Ondash could seal the game.
Simone made six saves in her 13th win of the season, while Dudley handled five Union shots.
The Dutchwomen maintained a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks, while outshooting the Herons, 17-12.
With the win today, the Dutchwomen earn an automatic berth the the NCAA tournament. Pairings will be announced Monday, November 6.
