Pitts Nets Game-Winner in Overtime
WAYNE, N.J. (10/25/06) - Kean University sophomore forward
Amanda Pitts (Rahway, N.J.) scored the game-winner in overtime, as
the Cougars rallied back to defeat host William Paterson University
in the New Jersey Athletic Conference women's soccer regular season
finale on Wednesday evening. Both team have qualified for the
upcoming NJAC tournament, as the Cougars improved to 11-3-2
overall, 5-3-1 in the conference, while the Pioneers are 8-6-2
overall, 4-4-1 in the NJAC.
Trailing 2-0, the Cougars fought back , as freshman back Kayla
Duncan (Edison, N.J.) one-timed a pass from senior forward Heather
Anzivino (Belford, N.J.) across the penalty area and into the left
corner of the goal to cut the lead to 2-1 in the 72nd minute. Three
minutes later, Anzivino knocked in a deflection to force
overtime.
The Cougars won the match in the 96th minute, taking advantage of a
failed clear attempt as junior forward Michelle Fischer (Scotch
Plains, N.J.) got the ball in front of the box and found a
streaking Pitts on the right side.
Following a shot with 4:04 to play in the first half, WPU
goalkeeper Caitlin Kiernan (Wayne, N.J.) got her hands on the ball,
but defender Natale Buongiorno (Northvale, N.J.) was ruled to have
touched the ball with her hand as well, resulting in a red card for
her and a penalty kick for the Cougars. Anzivino was well wide of
the net on the PK attempt, and the Pioneers were forced to play
with 10 for the remainder of the match.
Despite the lack of numbers, WPU was able to jump out to a 2-0
lead. Senior Melissa Boka (Hamilton, N.J.) picked up a deflection
25 yards from goal and dribbled to her left, pulling the Kean
keeper out and scoring her 14th goal of the season for a 1-0
advantage in the 47th minute. Fourteen minutes later, freshman
Jessica Reibis (Jackson, N.J.) received a perfect diagonal ball
from sophomore Amanda Kurdyla (Denville, N.J.) and buried it from
the left side of the box.
Kean junior goalkeeper Sam Groh (Mason, Mich.) stopped three shots
in the victory.
The Cougars travel to fourth-seeded Rowan University in the opening
round of the NJAC playoffs on Saturday, October 28, at 5 p.m.
