Sept. 5, 2010
Box Score
WEST HARTFORD, CT - La Salle Women's Soccer freshman forward Renee Washington netted a pair of goals for the Explorers including the game-winning tally with less than four minutes left in the second extra session to register a 2-1 double overtime victory over Central Connecticut State Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium and with it, won the Hartford Tournament.
In their earliest start in almost five years, the contest began at 11 AM, the Explorers battled the Blue Devils to a scoreless first half. The last time La Salle started a game before noon, it was at the Marshall Tournament during the 2005 season. They won the first game over the hosts, 2-1, then tied Morehead State on Sunday (9/11) in double overtime, 0-0.
Washington broke this Sunday's tie at the 63:11 mark off an assist from classmate Courtney Niemiec. For the other first-year player, it was her second assist of the season.
Central Connecticut State (2-3) would send the game into overtime when Beth Lloyd converted a penalty kick at the 86:30 mark to tie the game at one.
After a scoreless first extra session, which saw La Salle register two shots and a corner, Washington would take a pass from Jess Hopton, her second assist of 2010, and score the game-winner with 3:34 left on the clock to give the Explorers the tournament title.
"This was an outstanding effort for the team, especially after facing some adversity with three minutes remaining from the penalty kick that evened the game," said Head Coach Paul Royal. "The team kept their composure into overtime and ended up closing the game out from an outstanding service from Jess Hopton and a courageous finish from Renee Washington.
"I think I'm most pleased with how consistent we played throughout the weekend. Our ability to take care of the ball and manage the game along with getting excellent contributions from the bench allowed us to come home with two strong wins. I'm confident that this group will carry the momentum into next weekend's game."
Washington's numbers so far this season are putting her among the best at the school in a single season. Her five goals in six games are the most since Kristin Hextall netted five with two game winners in the first six games of the 2007. Hextall finished her senior campaign with 15 goals and became just one of nine Explorers ever to notch double figures in goals in a single season.
Of those nine, four have been freshmen with Lisa McDermott (1987) leading the way with 17, followed by Bridget Carney (1992) and Meg Cardie (1987) with 11, and Krista Lee (2000) with 10.
Through six games, McDermott had six goals and one game winner, Carney and Cardie each had four goals, with Cardie notching a game winner, and Lee was the only other freshman to have five goals through six games, and she also had one game winner.
Of Washington's five goals this season, two have been game winners, two were game-tying goals, and the other was a go-ahead goal. For her effort, Washington was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Diana Allen and Jourdan McVicker.
In net for the Explorers for her eighth win in 12 starts was Gabby Pakhtigian, who made four saves and allowed just the PK goal. Nikola Deiter took the loss for the Blue Devils, while also stopping four shots.
La Salle (4-2) is off for a week before heading down to Baltimore next weekend for a contest at Loyola (MD). The game time has been changed and the match is slated for another 11 AM kickoff.
