Box Score ERIE, Pa. - The Daemen College women's soccer team saw their prolonged scoring drought come to an end, albeit in losing fashion as the Wildcats fell 3-2 to host Merychurst University in non-conference action today at Mercyhurst Fields. The Lakers built a 3-0 lead before fending off the Wildcats, who mounted a late rally, to improve to 3-4-1 on the season, while Daemen dropped to 2-6-0.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Mercyhurst's Lauren Testa put the hosts up with two quick tallies in the opening minutes of the second half. She opened the scoring when she dribbled down the left side and beat Daemen goalkeeper
Kathryn Haessner (Moravia, N.Y./Moravia) with a shot just 23 seconds into the period. She added another tally, her fifth of the season, just moments later in the 49th minute, when she took a pass from the left side which set her up with an open shot which she burried.
When the Lakers' Victoria Alai struck home her first goal of the season in the 69th minute, it seemed like it was all over but the shouting with Mercyhurst ahead by three. But, Daemen battled back.
Lindsay Stoddard (Limestone, N.Y./Allegany-Limestone) found the back of the net for the Wildcats when she deflected a ball off a Mercyhurst defender and past goalkeeper Ellie McDougall in the 78th minute. Stoddard's goal, her second of the season, snapped a scoreless skid for the Wildcats which had reached nearly 540 minutes.
And they weren't done yet either.
Senior
Rachael Banasik (Depew, N.Y./Depew) recorded her first goal of the season, and the 12th of her career, in the 88th minute to draw Daemen within one. Banasik's goal came on a strike from just outside the box which beat McDougall.
But, the Wildcats ran out of time shortly thereafter as the horn sounded at 90 minutes allowing Mercyhurst to escape victorious.
Haessner made seven stops between the pipes for Daemen, while McDougall picked up the victory by making four saves for the Lakers. Both teams tested the opposing goalkeeper with impeccable accuracy on their scoring attempts. Mercyhurst placed 10 of their 12 total shots on frame, while Daemen notched six shots on goal out of seven total attemts.
Daemen will look to snap its six-game slide when they return home for the first time since Sept. 9 next week. The Wildcats play host to East Coast Conference-foe Mercy College on Friday, Oct. 3 with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. at Dimp Wagner Stadium.
