PHILADELPHIA – Madison Bower scored the golden goal in the 97th minute in a 2-1 A-10 Championship Semifinal win over Duquesne on Friday afternoon at Sports Backers Stadium. The Explorers will play in the fourth A-10 Championship game in program history on Sunday at noon against VCU.
Kristin Haugstad dribbled into the far side of the 18-yard box before threading a pass into the six-yard box that Bower pushed inside the far post with her left foot. Bower's 10th goal of the season completed a comeback for the Explorers that began in the final minutes of regulation.
"That's been the greatest thing about this group, is their resolve," said head coach Paul Royal. "We've had tough times with them, and they always step up to challenges."
The Explorers, who had five shots on goal in the second half, tied the game with just 1:08 remaining in regulation on Katherine Hennessey's first goal of the year. The senior gathered a deflection in the box and punched it inside the far post.
"We thought we were down and out. Then a senior that hasn't scored all year, and probably shouldn't have played the second half because of an injury, steps up and scores a great goal," added Royal. "It shows the camaraderie and the hard work that these girls put in. Their effort was the result today."
Katie O'Connor found the back of the net for Duquesne in the 71st minute to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead. The score appeared to be the deciding goal before Hennessey's heroics almost twenty minutes later.
La Salle keeper Larisa Zambelli made one of the game's biggest plays in the 63rd minute, diving to her right to save a penalty kick by Casey Aunkst to keep the game scoreless. Zambelli made four saves in the game, and the Explorers came up with a huge team save in the 92nd minute when Hennessey blocked an Abby Losco shot just outside the six-yard box.
La Salle outshot the Dukes 20-14 on the afternoon and controlled corner kicks 2-1.
