Indoor Soccer
Amherst Rovers win playoff game in dramatic fashion

The Amherst Rovers indoor travel soccer team saved its best game for last, getting their first win of the season in a playoff matchup against Akron that went to a shootout. Amherst won 4-3.

Amherst played a stellar game defensively, setting up an impenetrable wall in front of their net. Despite much of the game being played in Amherst's end, it seemed every time Akron tried to close in they were turned away. Amherst did generate its own offensive pressure, especially in the first half and at the very end of regulation. There were very few good scoring chances for either team.

Akron shot first in the shootout and failed to convert. Colleen Stelley scored for Amherst with a razor shot high to the goalie's right and well out of her reach.

Akron converted on their second try but so did Amherst when Audrey Parenti made a precision strike to the extreme upper left corner.

Akron would get the only goals in the next two rounds to make it 3-2 in their favor but failed to convert in the final round.

Courtney Sugarman, with the game on the line, put it past the goalie to the left and mid-height.

Joy Thompson tested Akron's goalie with perhaps Amherst's closest scoring chance during regulation and used good footwork and passing to generate other chances.

Maria Lafornayra pursued the ball relentlessly in Akron's end to create bouts of pressure for Amherst.

Allie Troncone repeatedly beat the first Akron defender and nearly got an assist with a nice pass ahead deep in Akron's end.

The game then went to a single round shootout. Akron failed to convert on their chance.

Sarah Snyder, on the other hand, gave the goalie no chance, sending it into the lower right corner to seal the victory for Amherst.

Defensively, Julia Struble was solid in net the few times she was tested. She also saved two shots in the shootout.

Stelley once again prevented countless scoring chances by making play after play as last defenseman back.

Kali James stopped advancing Akron players in their tracks at midfield and was a force in front of Amherst's net.

Julia Newton harassed advancing Akron players, driving them out of bounds to create turnovers.

Jade Brooks was all over Akron players at midfield and as they tried to advance deep into Amherst's end, giving them no chance to get a shot on net.