NOTRE DAME, Ind. (August 29, 2008) – Two goals from Santa Clara’s Kendra
Perry, including her golden goal in the 111th minute, defeated the
10th-ranked Mountaineers, 2-1, Sunday afternoon in game one of the Inn
at Saint Mary’s Classic in Notre Dame, Ind.
After a scoreless first overtime period, the Broncos’ Perry finished a
cross from six-yards out for the game-winner. Santa Clara’s Anessa
Patton was credited with the assist and they improve to 2-0-0 on the
season.
“When a game goes into double overtime, you have to stay focused,” said
WVU Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Unfortunately, teams that are as good
as Santa Clara are going to capitalize on the smallest of breakdowns.
Give them credit for capitalizing on our mistake.”
West Virginia (1-1-0) took a 1-0 lead at 36:14 on a goal from sophomore
forward Megan Mischler, her second of the season. The Moon Township,
Pa., native scored a through ball up the middle from 15-yards out.
Senior midfielder Amanda Cicchini started the ball up field and found a
streaking Deana Everrett in the middle. Everrett served the ball past
two SC defenders and Mischler struck the ball into the upper 90 for
match’s first score.
“Mischler was fantastic tonight,” said Izzo-Brown. “She created a
lot of
opportunities for the team, and finished brilliantly on her goal.”
Midfielder Lisa DuCote came up huge in the 25th minute when working the
goal line on a Santa Clara shot. The senior headed out a chip sent far
post by Perry to preserve a scoreless first half for the Mountaineer
defense.
West Virginia had another scoring opportunity late in the first half
created by defender Greer Barnes. The senior won a goal kick at midfield
and raced up the left flank beating a series of Bronco defenders, before
crossing the ball into the middle. DuCote one-timed the pass over the
crossbar.
Santa Clara tied the score at 1-1 in the 51st minute off an indirect
kick following a Mountaineer foul. WVU goalkeeper Kerri Butler made a
diving save on the Bronco free kick by midfielder Kiki Bosio, pushing
the ball off the right post. Perry followed Butler’s deflection with an
empty net goal.
“It was a questionable call but it doesn’t really matter,” said
Izzo-Brown of the obstruction call, setting up the first SC goal. “We
had some breakdowns and didn’t mark in the box like we should have. We
got caught watching a little bit.”
WVU had another scoring chance in 60th minute. Mischler took a cross
from Barnes inside the box, settling the ball off her chest and firing
the ball just high of the goal.
The Mountaineers out-shot the Broncos 14-10 on the evening, including
four shots from Everrett and a game-high five shots from Mischler.
Butler worked all 112 minutes in goal, making two saves.
Santa Clara held a 5-3 advantage on corner kicks and was whistled for 20
fouls, with WVU drawing eight.
Tonight’s overtime thriller was just the second in the tournament’s
16-year history.
The Mountaineers conclude play at the Inn at Saint Mary’s Classic on
Sunday morning against Loyola Marymount. Kickoff at Alumni Field is
scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
