Nov. 1, 2009

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's soccer team fell to Merrimack, 5-4 in penatly kicks, in a 1-1 overtime thriller in the first round of the Northeast-10 playoffs. The Panthers finish their season in the conference with a 10-5-3 overall record, while the Warriors (13-5-2) advance to the semifinal round.

Junior Brianne McDonnell gave the Panthers the early lead in the first half on an assist from senior Kayte Kinsley at 27:04.

It was late in the second half that the Warriors knotted the score on an unassisted goal by Jackie Vickers in the 75th minute.

Both team had solid attempts on goal in the overtime periods, with Adelphi holding a slight 7-5 shot advantage. However neither team was able to find the back of the net, forcing the game to be decided in penalty kicks.

Adelphi made the first of its four shots, as did Merrimack. The fifth shot for the Panthers was stopped by Brittany Gustafson, setting up the shot from Elizabeth Hopley that sealed the victory.

Sophomore Dorothy Connolly made eight saves for the Panthers, while Gustafson had 10 stops for the Warriors.

Adelphi, who ranked 5th in the lastest NCAA East Region poll, must now wait to see if they will receive an at-large bid for the tournament.