Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior Meghan O'Connell (Abington, Mass.) headed home a cross off the foot of first-year Sam Bendick (New Egypt, N.J.) with just under four minutes remaining in double overtime to give the University of Massachusetts Boston women's soccer team a 1-0 win over the University of New England in a non-conference match played Saturday afternoon (Sep. 8) at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

The win keeps the Beacons perfect at 3-0 on the year, while UNE drops to 1-3 overall.

O'Connell's game-winner at the 106:03 mark was the only shot for either side in the second overtime period, and finished off a 25-17 advantage in the category on the afternoon.

Each side had one quality scoring chance in the first extra session. UNE first-year Kristin Dechene (Nashua, N.H.) put a header just wide in the 93rd minute, and on the other end, UMass Boston sophomore Krista Ledin (Bridgewater, Mass.) was denied on a diving stop by Big Blue junior goalkeeper Gina Iannazzi (Methuen, Mass.).

After the opening 45 minutes saw the Nor'easters hold an 11-7 edge in shots, Iannazzi was needed on two ocassions to keep the contest scoreless early in the second half. She layed out once again to prevent a Ledin shot-on-target, and followed in the next minute with a diving save on Beacons junior Tayla Andrews (Plymouth, Mass.).

Iannazzi totaled 12 saves on the day, keeping Ledin and Andrews (11 goals through UMB's first two games) off the scoresheet.

The Nor'easters had one more near miss in the 76th minute, as a header by sophomore Margaret Palmer (Scarborough, Maine) sailed just inches over the crossbar.

Sophomore Kristen Spain (Quincy, Mass.) made three stops for UMass Boston, which travels to Western New England University on Tuesday (4 p.m.).

Big Blue is back in action the same day with a third straight home game against the University of Southern Maine. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m.