Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Bears dominated the majority of the game but could find the back of the net as they lost to Smith in double overtime 1-0.
Coast Guard came out strong in the first half testing the Pioneers defense early and often. Coast Guard outshot the Pioneers 7-2 with a 5-0 advantage in shots on goal in the first half.
Senior Julia Mundy had the ball on the right side of the field in the first half. She sent a cross into the middle of the box. The ball squirted past junior Sarah Hills. Smith's defense cleared the ball but it was settled by sophomore Terry Netusil who fired a shot that went just wide.
The Bears had another chance late in the first half as junior Caroline Eastman found herself alone with Pioneer's freshman goalkeeper Shelby Hall. Eastman fired a shot to the right of hall who made a diving save but was unable to hold the ball. Sophomore Emily Matthews had a chance at the rebound but her shot was blocked by a Smith defender and sent out of play for a corner kick.
More of the same in the second half as Coast Guard continued to dominate the offensive end. Sophomore Alyssa Sato sent a cross into the box and found senior Liz Runci running towards goal. Runci hit a one touch shot into the left corner of the goal. Hall dove to her left and made a sprawling save to keep the game all square.
Mundy had another great opportunity mid way through the second half as her shot from thirty yards out nearly found its way into goal. Hall was able to tip it of the crossbar and the ball was cleared out of danger.
Regulation time ended and headed into overtime where Smith found their eventual game winner in the second overtime. Sophomore Innis Hitt sent a cross into the box that the Bears were unable to clear out. The ball came to senior Jenna Bicierro who one touched it into the back of the net for her first goal of the year in the 102nd minute.
"We are very disappointed with the loss today. We cannot play the way we did today, with the opportunities we created, and not walk off the field with a win. We need to finish with the ball in the back of the net on some of the chances we created," commented Coach Susan Grant.
The Bears ended up outshooting the Pioneers 20-7 with an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Senior Holly Moore made two saves in the loss dropping Coast Guard's record to 6-4-1 overall and 1-2 in the NEWMAC conference.
Hall made eleven saves for the Pioneers lifting their record to 4-4-1 and 2-1 in conference play.
Coast Guard returns to action when they travel to Worcester, Mass. to take on NEWMAC foe, the WPI Engineers. Game time is 7:00 pm.
