Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – All-New England Region senior forward Emily Becher's (Brooklyn) 46th career goal with 19 minutes left in regulation boosted the Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team to a 1-1 overtime draw with Westfield State University on the second day of the Springfield College Invitational at Brock-Affleck Field.
Since losing to host Springfield College on the second day of the 2009 tournament, Eastern (1-0-1) has stretched its unbeaten streak in the tournament to 5-0-1, having won and tied this year after capturing both contests last year and in 2010 (defeating Westfield State, 1-0, on the first day that season).
Friday, Eastern had trimmed Roger Williams, 2-1 in overtime, while Westfield (0-1-1) allowed an early overtime goal in a 1-0 loss to Springfield.
Eastern outshot Westfield, 26-10, but Natalia Falcone made nine saves and carried a 1-0 lead into the final 20 minutes after Michaela St. Cyr redirected Lydia Kinsman's corner kick past Eastern junior Kayla Labrecque (Westhampton, MA) with 15 minutes in the first half. The shot was one of only three that the Owls managed to put on net in the match.
Eastern finally pulled even when junior Tara Shayler (Avon) carried down the right flank and centered a ball to Becher, who connected with the cross in the air and sent it past Falcone to tie the match.
Eastern had an early chance in the first ten-minute sudden death OT period, but Westfield countered and nearly earned its first victory over the Warriors since 2012 when Nicole Chretien ripped a shot from outside the box that sailed over Labrecque's arms, but hit the cross bar and rolled out of bounds. Eastern's best chance came with 1:24 remaining in the first OT when Becher let one go on cage, but Falcone came up with a big save to keep the Warriors at bay.
Becher, closing in on her 200th career shot, unloaded eight, with All-Region midfielder McKenzie Reimondo (Portland) threatening with four, and sophomore Abbey Fitzsimmons (West Hartford) and Shayler collecting three each. Eastern recorded five more corner kicks, but its 11 attempts proved futile.
Eastern visits Elms College Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference match.
