NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Taken to the limit at City Park on Saturday afternoon, the #3-ranked Monroe Mustangs women’s soccer team found a way to come up with a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime win against Harford (MD) that moved their season record to 12-1.
After taking a 2-0 first half lead on an eleventh-minute goal by Nicole Rivera and a 41st-minute goal by Samantha Mendez, the Mustangs uncharacteristically allowed the Fighting Owls back in the game with a netter just seconds before the end of the first half and then a tying goal in the 50th minute.
Ultimately sophomore Gemma Craine, who has scored five goals in the last three games, put in the game-winner on a pass from Ana Carol Rodrigues in the 117th minute of double overtime to give the Mustangs a grueling win.
“Harford always comes to compete,” said Coach Jonathan Garbar. They really pushed us, which was something we needed. We’ve talked about the importance of playing our standard for an entire match and the consequences of when you don’t. We learned a valuable lesson today and hopefully this experience will better prepare us for the days ahead.”
The shooting numbers in the game heavily favored Monroe, as the Mustangs peppered Harford with 20 total shots, 12 on goal. By contrast the Fighting Owls made two of their three shots count.
“That was a big goal by Gemma, who earned the moment and seized it. That’s what elite players and teammates do,” Coach Garbar said.