Oct. 26, 2007
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - The top two goal scorers in the Atlantic 10 Conference squared off at McCarthy Stadium this evening and they did not disappoint, as La Salle University Women's Soccer senior Kristin Hextall scored the Explorers lone goal, but Dayton's Mandi Back tallied both for her team and the Flyers took the match 2-1 on Friday.
Hextall entered the game as the A-10s top point scorer with 26 and was second in goals with 11. Just 8:55 into the match, she scored her 12th goal of the year to give the Explorers an early 1-0 lead and pulled her into a tie with Back for most goals in the league.
The numbers Hextall has put up this season and in her career are rewriting the La Salle record books. Her 12 goals are tied for the second most ever in a season at the school, the 28 points are fifth most, and her 73 shots put her second all-time. For her career, she is second all-time in goals scored (30) and points (75), and her 221 shots is the most ever for a player in the Blue and Gold.
La Salle (9-8-0, 3-5-0 A-10) took the lead after Michelle Verzi found Hextall on the top-left side of the box. Hextall turned and fired to the upper right 90, beating Dayton's Niki Reed for the goal and the 1-0 advantage. For Verzi, it was her fifth assist of the year - tied for second on the team.
Six minutes later, it was Back's turn to show off her scoring ability, as she dribbled in from the left side of the net on La Salle goalie Melissa Sanger and shot far post for her first of the game and 13th of the season. Just two minutes later, the Flyers had another scoring chance, but this time Sanger made the initial save on Back, but the rebound went to Lauren MacCormick, whose shot was saved by a La Salle defender.
The Explorers had a similar opportunity in the 34th minute thanks in part to the steady rain coming down all night. Hextall shot on Reed, and due to the wetness, she juggled and lost the ball. Dana Giordano was there for another attempt, but Reed made that save as well.
La Salle looked to take a 2-1 lead nine minutes after intermission when Alex Conley shot from the left side of Reed, who made a diving save, but the ball came right to Hextall. She banged home the rebound; however, the Explorers were whistled for offsides, negating the goal.
Dayton (12-4-2, 6-2-2 A-10) took the lead in the 65th minute when Emily Miller lobbed a pass into Back, who dribbled in and scored her fifth game-winner of the year - tops in the conference and now one ahead of Hextall's four. Back also now leads the conference in goals (14) and points (29).
Reed made nine saves in the game to earn the win, while Sanger also had nine stops, but suffered the loss.
The Explorers will play their final game at McCarthy Stadium in 2007, Sunday, when they host Xavier with a 12 PM start. La Salle will honor four of its players before the match, as part of the Senior Day celebration.
