Explorers Net Two In Second Half To Defeat JMU, 2-1/cnbnews.net
Sunday, August 25, 2013
HARRISONBURG, Va.- La Salle women's soccer scored two second half goals to come from behind and defeat James Madison University, 2-1. With the win, the Explorers claimed the 2013 Fairfield Inn by Marriot Invitational title outright, only the second tournament title during head coach Paul Royal's tenure.
Junior Kelsey Haycook scored her second goal of the season in the 71st minute, knocking in her own rebound as the equalizer. Haycook's goal came less than a minute after James Madison nearly took a 2-0 lead, burying a goal that was called back due to an offside call against the Dukes.
Just over seven minutes later, senior Renee Washington buried a pass played from Ana Dolhansky who received a through ball from Haycook and found Washington primed for the shot within the 18.
"The game is all about momentum shifts," head coach Paul Royal said. "Two [goals] obviously was enough to win it today and the perseverance of Kelsey and Renee to step up and score a couple big goals to get us in the win column is tremendous."
Junior Katie Getzinger earned the win for the Explorers, her first since the since transferring to La Salle in 2012. The Haddonfield, N.J. native kept the Explorers within striking distance, making several diving saves in both halves to stave off the Dukes attack.
"Katie came up huge in the first half with two big saves and Jessie did the same on Friday against Old Dominion to keep a clean sheet," Royal said. "They've definitely made our job a lot harder by their performances this week but it's great that the kids are stepping up."
La Salle was knocking on the door all game producing several valuable scoring opportunities including a blast off the post by Courtney Niemiec in the closing minutes of the first half.
Representing the Explorers on the All-Tournament Team are Haycook, Washington, Niemiec and Kerri Aiken, occupying four of a possible 11 spots.
The Explorers return to action on Sunday, September 1st, when they look to improve to 3-0 on the season at 2012 NCAA College Cup runner-up Penn State.
2013 Fairfield Inn by Marriot Invitational All-Tournament Team
Kelsey Haycook (La Salle)
Renee Washington (La Salle)
Courtney Niemiec (La Salle)
Kerri Aiken (La Salle)
Meghan Cox (James Madison)
Shannon Rano (James Madison)
Ellen Forrest (James Madison)
Becca Wann (Richmond)
Hunter Rooney (Richmond)
Nikki Clarke (Old Dominion)
