BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore defender Danielle Weiler's (Becket, Mass.) goal with 3:15 remaining in the first overtime snapped a scoreless tie and lifted the Wentworth women's soccer team to its third straight win, a 1-0 triumph over Anna Maria in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference contest played on Sweeney Field.
The host Leopards controlled the game from the start, holding the AMCATS without a shot for the first 36:01, while getting off 18 of their own. Wentworth would finish the first 45:00 with a 19-1 shot advantage, but Anna Maria sophomore keeper Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, Mass.) turned aside all nine shot attempts placed on goal, including two from point-blank range.
Wentworth continued to mount pressure in the second half, putting eight of its 19 shots on target, but Ruggeri again would come up big for her upset-minded team, keeping the score even at nil. Through regulation Wentworth held a 38-3 shot advantage and a 12-0 corner kick advantage.
In overtime Wentworth had a chance in the first minute off of a corner kick play, but could not get a shot off, and, in the 95th mnute, had a scoring opportunity negated due to an offside call. At 96:45, Weiler picked up her second marker in as many games when she picked up a loose ball inside the box and beat Ruggeri to the upper right.
Sophomore Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) notched her second straight shutout with a three-save performance. Ruggeri made 17 saves for the AMCATS. Wentworth held a 39-3 shot advantage and a 13-0 corner kick advantage for the game.
With the win Wentworth keeps its playoff hopes alive by improving to 6-9-1 overall and 5-6-1 in TCCC play. The Leopards host Colby-Sawyer Wednesday at 7:00 in the regular-season finale. Anna Maria drops to 0-15-2 on the year (0-11-1 TCCC) and closes out the 2010 campaign Wednesday at Western New England.
