BOX SCORE
Scranton, PA – Marywood broke out of the gates to grab an early 1-0 lead but needed a late second half goal as the host Pacers tied visiting Centenary College 2-2 after two double overtimes Saturday afternoon at The University of Scranton's Fitzpatrick field. With the tie, Marywood clinched the #3 seed in the upcoming Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) playoffs and closed the regular season at 11-3-3 (6-1-3 PAC). Centenary (11-4-2, 8-1-1 PAC) had already clinched the #2 seed and will have a first-round bye.
Marywood's Marissa Ruda (Athens, PA) opened the scoring at the 6:58 mark of the game when she finished off a Kaitlyn Miller (Trumansburg, NY) cross from the left touchline. Ruda took one touch and then slipped the ball past Centenary net-minder Ashley Denti. Centenary quickly responded with a goal 10-seconds later. Sam Vanni scored for Centenary when she was fed in the middle of the box. Kiti Ovaskainen crossed the ball from the right corner, and Ovaskainen's cross was settled by Melanie Pupo before Vanni put the finishing touches on the play to make it 1-1.
Almost four minutes later, Tanya DiDonna put the Cyclones up 2-1 on a pass from Ovaskainen. The Cyclones closed the first half with a 5-1 advantage in shots, but after intermission Marywood came out strong, pressing the Centenary back line. At 68:43, the pressure paid off as Shannon Hresko (Gibbstown, NJ) found a streaking Amanda Costello (Vernon, NJ) down the right side. Costello took one touch and calmly slid the ball past a charging Denti into an empty net to tie the game at 2-2.
After a scoreless overtime in which Centenary managed one shot to Marywood's zero, the Cyclones pressured late and Marywood keeper Meghan Coyle (Endicott, NY) was forced to make a diving save with just over 10-seconds remaining in overtime to preserve the tie.
Centenary held a 15-6 advantage in shots and a 10-6 advantage in corners. Denti collected one save on the day for the Cyclones, while Coyle made six saves for Marywood.
The Pacers will host #6 seed Cabrini College Monday at 2:00 pm. That game will also be played at the University of Scranton's Fitzpatrick field. To get to Fitzpatrick field, take the Central Scranton Expressway (exit 185 off Rt. 81 N & S). Follow for approximately ½ mile and take a right onto Cedar Avenue and follow for approximately .2/mile. Then make a right onto Laurel Line Drive. Parking will be on your left and the field will be straight ahead.
