Mastropaolo's Overtime Tally Staves Off Lafayette Upset Bid

Wednesday, October 21

Buckley Field

7:00

Drexel University

Lafayette

Jenna Phillips made five saves in overtime as she recorded her third shutout of the season

Mastropaolo's Overtime Tally Staves Off Lafayette Upset Bid

10/21/2009 8:56:29 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Philadelphia - Eleventh-ranked Drexel was put to the test by one of the nation's toughest defenses but junior Christina Mastropaolo delivered an overtime goal to end a scoreless drought and give the Dragons a 1-0 victory. It was Mastropaolo fifth straight game she recorded the game-winning goal as she leads the nation with eight this season. Jenna Phillips was outstanding in goal for Drexel as she made seven saves, including five in overtime to keep the visitors off the board. The win pushed Drexel to 14-2 on the season while Lafayette dipped to 11-5.

The first half was a midfield battle as the two teams combined for just five first-half shots. The Dragons appeared to have the first score of the game late in the first half when Susan Ciufo lifted a shot on a penalty corner that seemed destined for the back of the cage. Lafayette goalie Kelsey Andersen made a spectacular diving stop to her right and behind her as she used her stick-side blocker to deflect the ball out of midair and wide of the cage.

The second half was more of the same with the Leopards generating just one shot but displaying the stout defense that allows less than one goal per game. While the Dragons may have had possession of the ball a bit more than the visitors, Drexel was able to fire just three shots in the period with none beating Andersen in goal.

In a tense overtime, both teams had golden opportunities early. Lafayette earned three straight penalty corners and generated a shot on each but all three were turned away by Phillips, including a pair of diving saves. After Drexel withstood the storm, Head Coach Denise Zelenak called timeout. On the restart after the timeout, Sofia Sanguinetti lifted a ball through the middle that found a cutting Ciufo as she headed toward the cage alone. After dodging the goalie, Ciufo whipped a shot that looked to end the game. Lafayette defender Meghan Cicchi, however, was able to get a stick on the ball as it floated toward the goal as she cleared the ball to safety. Finally with just over a minute to go, Megan Keller sent a long ball into the circle from the left side that found Mastropaolo in front. The junior forward settled the ball then ripped a shot that caromed off of Andersen's body and trickled into the cage. Despite the drama, the game had an anticlimactic ending as the officials conferred before finally awarding the goal and the game to the Dragons.

Lafayette held a 10-8 edge in shots, with six of the 10 coming in overtime. Andersen made five saves for the Leopards while Phillips' seven saves gave the freshman her third career shutout. Lafayette earned six penalty corners to the Dragons' three.

Drexel returns to action on Sunday when Northeastern visits Buckley Field for a showdown of teams tied for first place in the Colonial Athletic Association. Prior to the 2:00 p.m. start, seniors Jennifer Bolger, Jordan Freese, Carolina Gibernau and Sarah Heller will be honored as part of Senior Day festivities.