TOWNSEND NETS GAME WINNER IN

1-0 OT VICTORY OVER CLARKSON

Oct. 2: Junior forward Becca Townsend scored her fourth goal of the season and her second game winner to give the St. Lawrence University women’s soccer team a 1-0 overtime victory against North Country rival and conference opponent Clarkson on Thursday afternoon at Sandy MacAllaster Field.

The Saints improve to 7-1-2 overall and an even 1-1-1 conference mark, while the Golden Knights fall to 3-7-1 in their third straight Liberty League loss this season.

St. Lawrence held a clear 25-5 advantage in shots over their visitors, but only edged Clarkson in shots on goal by a 9-5 margin as the Golden Knights made sure each of their opportunities was on the Saints’ net.

St. Lawrence was able to maintain possession throughout much of the contest, but faced some tough Golden Knight pressure throughout regulation, especially as each period came to a close.  The Saints had several key opportunities, including four corner kick chances that they were unable to profit from, as Clarkson keeper Caitlin Titus was great at coming off the line and stopping some crosses coming over the box.

As the end of the second half came near, the Scarlet and Brown was applying their own pressure as they searched for ways to get the ball past Titus.  The ball was played to the right inside the 18, where junior forward Meg Howard (Shelburne, VT/Champlain Valley Union) took a shot on the Clarkson keeper, who made the save by letting the ball deflect off of her.  A scramble ensued, where St. Lawrence kicked it out to sophomore defender Nicky Hynes (Carleton Place, ONT/The Kent School), who was just outside the 18, who tried to send it past Titus who put a stop to the play as she collected another save.

St. Lawrence took six shots in overtime and kept Clarkson away from the goal before Townsend (Stockton, NJ/North Hunterdon) found herself inside the 18 as the ball was slotted to her from the right side of the goal with just over 1:45 to play. She attempted to blast it past Titus, who came out and made a quick save but was unable to keep possession of the ball as the St. Lawrence pressure around her was high.  Townsend collected the rebound and went left around Titus, where she saw an open opportunity as she launched the ball between the posts to score the game winner on St. Lawrence’s 25th shot of the contest and to end the game and claim the crucial conference win.

Titus made eight saves for the Golden Knights, while St. Lawrence’s rookie keeper Abby van Geldern (Rowayton, CT/Brien McMahon) tallied five to earn her fifth shutout of the season.