AMHERST, N.Y.- A header from senior Meghan Lipinoga (North Tonawanda, N.Y./Canisius College) in overtime delivered a dramatic 1-0 victory for the Daemen College women's soccer team over visiting Molloy College today at Dimp Wagner Stadium.

With this win, the Wildcats advance to 4-8-1 overall, and improve to a 2-3-0 standing in East Coast Conference play.  Molloy drops to 4-5-2 overall and 1-3-0 in conference play.

A scoreless first half of the game pushed both teams to make something happen.  Molloy hustled during the first half to put six shots up, but Meaghan O'Leary (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) was able to make two diving saves for Daemen.  The Lions received two corner kicks, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities. Daemen was only able to register two shots in the first half, however both shots were on goal with saves made by Molloy's Gabrielle Batista.

Molloy had demanding possession of the ball in the second half of regulation time. The team went on to have 10 shots, five of them being on goal and saved by O'Leary. The Lions received five corner kicks in the second half, but Daemen defense halted them from scoring.  Daemen struggled to gain possession of the ball and were only able to put up one high shot. 

With a scoreless first two halves, the teams were forced to go into overtime.  The last time Daemen went into overtime, they fell to Roberts Wesleyan College 2-1 in another ECC matchup earlier this month (October 2), but today was a different story.

The Wildcat defense was rattled after a hand ball was called, but the Wildcats were able to make up for it by keeping the Lions out of scoring territory.  A Lion foul gave Daemen a great opportunity to score.  Alexis Koral (Williamsville, N.Y. William Smith College) took the ensuing free kick and sent a swift pass to the high right corner of the top of the net.  That's where Lipinoga (North Tonawanda, N.Y./Canisius College) leaped up and was able to head the ball past Batista to net the game-winner at the 95:48 mark.

For Lipinoga, it was her first tally of the season, and the ninth of her career.  It also marked her first goal since scoring in a 3-2 overtime loss versus University of Maine-Fort Kent on November 2, 2013 in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships final.

Lipinoga's goal also delivered Daemen's first overtime win since their 2014 season opener, a 2-1 double-overtime win over visiting Rio Grande University at Dimp Wagner Stadium back on September 5, 2014.  Today's win snapped the Wildcats' four-game winless streak (0-2-2) in overtime games.

With two ECC wins under their belt, Daemen climbs up the ladder in the conference standings, currently placing sixth as they battle for an opportunity to finish in the top four and qualify for a berth in the ECC Tournament.  The two conference victories mark a new high for the Wildcats since joining the league in 2013.  Daemen went 1-8 in league play in 2013, and 0-8-1 last season.

Daemen will look to make it two home wins in a row when they battle against Alfred State College in a non-conference match under the lights at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13.