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Sharks conclude regular season with emotional double OT win
The Sharks beat Mt. St. Mary's, 3-2, in double overtime on Sept. 5 and closed out the regular season by the same score last Thursday. Junior forward Christine Loftus scored with two minutes left in the second overtime of the second meeting on an assist by junior midfielder Emily Rodgers. Sharks' coach Kelly Damon said Rodgers sent a ball from the midfield to Loftus, who took a few dribbles and lofted the ball underneath the crossbar. "I have never seen anyone loft the ball like she does," said Damon. "To score with two minutes left was incredible. The team was going crazy." The win not only gave the Sharks its second win over the two-time defending league champions, but it also secured a home quarterfinal playoff game at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday against Mt. St. Mary's. "We knew in order to get into the proper frame of mind, we needed a win heading into the playoffs," said Damon. Damon said the second meeting was emotionally charged. "Mt. St. Mary's played very dirty and took out our captains, Natalie Coppola and Alycia Pontello," said Damon. "Alycia went up for the ball in the first 10 minutes of the game, and one of their players took her legs out. She has a back injury. Natalie was chasing after a ball in the first 10 minutes of the second half, and one of their players took her down from behind. She has a stage two medial collateral ligament in her right knee." A penalty was called on Pontello's takedown and she scored on a penalty kick before leaving the game. Coppola and Pontello, both juniors, have started at sweeper and center midfield, respectively, since their freshmen year. Both are out for the rest of the season. The injuries forced Damon to move players into positions they've never played before. Junior Ginamarie Mule, who usually plays at stopper, was moved to sweeper. Freshman Emily Rose Conforti stepped in for Mule at stopper. Junior outside midfielder Sarah Healy replaced Pontello at center midfield. Freshman Emily Shanahan filled in for Healy on the outside midfield. After two Mt. St. Mary goals, Loftus scored on a penalty kick to tie the game 15 minutes into the second half. Goalies Susan O'Rourke and Devon Hornung combined for 21 saves. Prior to the second Mt. St. Mary's game, the Sharks had some tough luck. They tied Holy Angels, 1-1, in double overtime on Oct. 4, despite firing 50 shots on the Angels' goalkeeper, and lost close games with Mt. Mercy, 2-1, on Oct. 10 and Nardin, 3-2, last Tuesday. Trailing Holy Angels 1-0, junior forward Katherine Bougard scored from Pontello with 12 minutes left in the second half. Damon said her team took a 1-0 lead over Mt. Mercy before the Magic tied it up and scored with 30 seconds left. Nardin scored the game winner with 10 minutes left in the second half. Loftus and Bougard scored unassisted goals. Each had five goals so far this season. Sacred Heart is 4-5-1 in league play, 6-5-1 overall. For the team to have success in the playoffs, Damon said her team has to play 80 minutes. "We have to support each other," she added. "Someone has to step up and be a leader. I'm hoping its Christine Loftus and Ginamarie Mule." e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com |
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