Delaware Nips GSU in 2-1 Double-OT Thriller

by Adam Nichols
October 8, 2012

Blue Hen senior forward Ali Miller’s second goal of the game gave the University of Delaware women’s soccer team a 2-1 double overtime victory over Georgia State Friday night in Colonial Athletic Association action at GSU’s Soccer Complex.

Through a full 90 minutes of regulation and the first 20-minute overtime period, the Blue Hens and Panthers were knotted at one goal apiece. At the 114:59 mark of the second-overtime period, Miller collected her second goal of the season on a breakaway shot from 16 yards out that was facilitated by a helpful assist from senior Anna Lenczyk which provided the game-winning score, 2-1.

“Ali came through again, she’s someone who has been very clutch for our team this year,” Delaware head coach Scott Grzenda said.

With the victory Delaware (6-4, 3-0) extends its winning streak to four games and remains unbeaten in the CAA while Georgia State (3-6-1, 0-3) remains winless in CAA play. Delaware has never been 3-0 in the CAA since joining the conference in 2002 and the last time that UD won four-straight matches was in 2006, when the Blue Hens started the season 4-0.

“I’m so proud of the way our girls fought tonight,” Grzenda remarked on his squad’s 115-minute victorious battle with Georgia State. “It shows our character as a team that we fought the entire game even when things were not going our way.”

Down 1-0 in the 65th minute of the second half, a key assist from Brittany Bonzano let Miller score her fourth goal of the season after GSU’s goalkeeper, Rebecca Toler, ventured too far out of the goal and slipped the ball into the back of the net that knotted the game at 1-1.

“I thought when Lenczyk came into to the game the defense changed the complexity of the game,” Grzenda added about his defense that held the Panthers to five shots on goal. “It’s great to see so many players contributing to the victory.”

Georgia State’s Carly Lafferty scored her first goal of the season in the 55th minute of the second half as the Panthers took an early second-half 1-0 lead.

Blue Hens junior goalkeeper Jess Levy made four saves in her fourth-straight victory while Panthers goalkeeper, Toler, made five saves in the loss.

In the 79th minute, Georgia State’s Elizabeth Kinsel received a yellow card from the officials and in the 83rd minute Whitney Raven also was handed a yellow card. During the 112 minute second overtime period, GSU’s Leah Beasley also received a yellow card.

Delaware women’s soccer team looks to remain unbeaten in the CAA while continuing its longest road trip of the season on Sunday, September 30 at 1 p.m. when the Blue Hens travel to play the UNCW Seahawks.

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