Potsdam, NY – Numerous chances finally turned into a goal for the Clarkson University Women’s Soccer team as Jill Collins (Potsdam, NY) scored in the 82nd minute to help the Golden Knights salvage a tie against crosstown rival Potsdam State, 1-1, Wednesday afternoon at Clarkson Field.
The Golden Knights saw their record stay even at 2-2-1 overall while Potsdam failed to come away with a victory for the first time in five games, moving to 4-0-1.
Neither team could produce much offense in the first half as the Knights held a small 6-4 advantage in shots. Clarkson had a good chance when junior Courtney Donovan (South Hero, VT) lofted a high shot from about 35 yards out that appeared to be headed out of bounds, but it bounced off the underside of the crossbar and out to the corner. Clarkson had some other opportunities, but the Knights could never find the back of the net.
The Bears’ goal came as a bit of a surprise as the ball was played down into the corner for Alissa Tischler, going solo against several defenders. Eventually, a cross was blocked by the Clarkson defense, but the ball bounded out near the top of the box where junior midfielder Nicole Brown, who had entered the game just a few minutes earlier, took a hard shot that found its way into the top of the goal near the far post for an unassisted score at the 43:59 mark.
After a slow start in the second half, the Golden Knights dominated the second half, controlling the play on the Potsdam defensive half for most of the last 30 minutes of the game. Not much of that time saw Clarkson get too many solid chances, but the Knights finally scored the equalizer in the final 10 minutes of the game. Junior Brittany Monroe (Massena, NY) sent a soaring pass inside the box that eluded the Potsdam goalkeeper as Ariana Czech (Big Bear City, CA) headed it down to the foot of senior Jill Collins, who easily deposited the ball into the open net at the 8:12 mark. Czech earned her second assist of the season on Collins’ first goal of the campaign.
Potsdam appeared to be in a position to take the lead, getting a good look at the goal with less than two minutes to go as Nicole Volpi took a shot that harmlessly sailed over the top of the crossbar.
In the second overtime, it appeared as if Clarkson would get a fortunate roll for the go-ahead goal. After a couple of headers at midfield, the ball found its way down to the foot of Czech, who raced in to the Potsdam end and took a low shot. Potsdam keeper Sarah Casey deflected the ball, but not enough to slow it down completely. The ball rolled to the corner, but kicked off the far goalpost and rolled out of bounds with about 40 seconds remaining in the contest.
Clarkson’s Cait Spaeth (Essex, VT) made four saves and allowed one goal in 110 minutes, which was matched by Potsdam’s Casey, who also made four saves and gave up a goal in a complete-game effort. Clarkson finished the contest with a 16-10 edge in shots and the two teams finished with four corner kicks each.
