Women's Soccer Draws With #21 Brandeis

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 double overtime tie with visitng Brandeis University in non-conference action at Leary Field Sunday afternoon. The Blazers sit at 12-5-2 on the season, while the Judges move to 11-2-3 overall.

After 25 minutes of back-and-forth play, the Blazers broke through in the 26^th minute as junior Danielle Asklar (Berlin, Conn.) redirected a ball to senior Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) at midfield, who threaded a pass through the Judges defense to classmate Angelina Estrada (Springfield, Mass.), who raced to goal and beat Brandeis graduate keeper Frankie Pinto (San Clemente, Calif.) one-on-one to stake the Blazers to a 1-0 lead.

With 8:07 on the clock, Elms sophomore Haley Richard (Monson, Mass.) chipped a ball to senior Brie Voight (Springfield, Mass.) in the Judges box, where Voight worked around a Brandeis defender and ripped a shot into the back of the net, pushing the Blazers ahead 2-0.

In the 79^th minute of action, Brandeis cracked the scoreboard as senior Samantha Schwartz (Highland Park, Ill.) found a loose ball in front and lofted a shot over the head of Elms sophomore keeper Rebecca Molin (West Hartford, Conn.) to cut the deficit to 2-1. With 6:54 to play, the Judges drew a foul on the Blazers at the top of the box, resulting in a free kick opportunity. On the ensuing free kick, Schwartz lifted a high shot to the top of the net to even the score at 2-2.

The best scoring chance in the bonus periods came for Brandeis in the 92^nd minute as Schwartz was led on a breakaway opportunity, but Molin challenged from the net and made a crucial save to preserve the 2-2 draw.

The Judges controlled the shot column, 37-12, during the contest. Molin logged a career-high 12 saves for Elms, while Pinto and junior Gemma Churnin (Topsham, Maine) combined for three saves for Brandeis.

The Blazers will be back in action for the New England Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Championship Semifinals, earning the second-seed after posting a 6-1-1 conference record. Brandeis hosts Washington University in University Athletic Association (UAA) action Friday at 7:30 p.m.

ELMS SOCCER