Oct. 19, 2010
Box Score
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - There's no better way to stop a losing streak than with the thrill of a golden goal. Ashleigh Barone's tally 4:41 into overtime lifted Siena past Harvard 2-1 this afternoon at Siena Field as the Saints halted a two-game losing streak and tied a program record with their 13th win.
Playing their third game in five days, the Saints (13-2) got off to a sluggish start. Harvard (5-6-1) out-shot Siena 11-2 in the first half and took six corners to the Saints' one. The Crimson got on the board just four minutes in when a misplayed kick deep in the Saints' zone was deflected by the pressuring Katherine Sheeleigh who recovered and finished.
In the second half, the Saints picked up the pace and created more opportunities in the box which ultimately led to the game-tying goal. On a service into the box Harvard got whistled for a hand ball. Caitlin Cahalan took the ensuing penalty kick and fired it home to even the score at 1-1 at the 50 minute mark.
Harvard threatened to reclaim the lead late and would have if not for some acrobatic saves from Elizabeth Barna. Just nine minutes after the Saints' PK, Harvard would get a similar opportunity on a handball by Siena. But Barna stoned the Crimsons' Melanie Baskind to keep the game tied.
Later, with just 3:08 remaining, Barna made a fantastic diving stop to her left to rob Elizabeth Weisman and ultimately send the game to overtime. Barna finished with three saves in 50 minutes of action.
In the extra session the Saints put some fresh bodies on the field and it made a difference. With 5:09 left, freshman Coreena D'Alfonso led in classmate Sara Mikula on a run down the right side. Mikula then sent a beautiful service into the middle to Barone who booted the ball by the keeper for the golden goal.
Only a junior, Barone's goal was the 32nd of her career, moving her into sole possession of second place on the school's all-time scoring list. Barone now stands just three goals short of tying and four goals from surpassing Kristen Turner's '07 program record.
With the victory the Saints tied the program record of 13 wins set two seasons ago when they finished the 2008 campaign at 13-2-4.
The Saints return to the pitch Saturday night in a meeting of the MAAC's top two teams in Poughkeepsie. Siena battles rival Marist in a 7 p.m. kickoff where the victor will take over first place in the conference standings.
