Oct. 13, 2010

Box Score

Junior F Khara Roman scored the game-winning goal eight minutes into overtime to lead No. 21 Merrimack over UMass Lowell, 2-1, Wednesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer match at Warrior Field.

The loss halted a three-game winning streak for the River Hawks, who slipped to 6-6-1 overall and 6-5-0 in the NE-10 entering Saturday’s match at Saint Anselm (11:00).

Merrimack improved to 9-3-2 overall and 9-2-1 in the Conference.

UMass Lowell struck in the fourth minute when senior F Brianne Bozzella (Wilmington, Mass.) headed home a cross from senior M Ella Merullo (Wakefield, Mass.).

The goal was Bozzella’s fifth this season and fourth in her last six appearances.

“We just lacked that killer instinct,” said Head Coach Elie Monteiro. “The players played the way we’ve trained the last couple of days. We were just unlucky not to get that second goal before they got their first. If we play at this pace and with this intensity, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

The River Hawks nearly doubled their lead in the 28th minute when junior Maddy Bissaillon (Merrimac, Mass.) steered a corner kick from the left side which curved left and was cleared off the line by a defender.

The Warriors pressured throughout the second half – evidenced by a 7-3 edge on shots – and finally broke through in the 81st minute when sophomore Jamie Alnwick converted off a back pass from freshman F Danielle Dion off the high right post.

In overtime, Roman steered home a free kick off the outstretched glove of freshman GK Micaela Butlin (Milton, Mass.).

Merrimack posted a 15-10 advantage on shots, including 6-5 on target. Butlin had four saves while junior Kiley Horne stopped three shots.