Williams, Reynolds Lead Wildcats to 2-1 Comeback Victory

Thursday, October 18

Vestal, N.Y.

6 PM

University of New Hampshire

7-7-2, 3-3-1AE

Binghamton

7-8-2, 2-5AE

OT 2

New Hampshire

Binghamton

Photo by Audrey Powell

Photo by: Audrey Powell

10/18/2018 8:55:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Wildcats come from behind to clinch a playoff berth.

VETSAL, N.Y. – The University of New Hampshire women's soccer team found themselves down by a score of 1-0 late in their America East matchup with Binghamton.

The Wildcats never gave up, and were rewarded for their tenacity in the 87^th minute as Kaylan Williams (Marion, Ind.) scored on a lofted ball through the box to keep UNH alive. Then just two minutes into overtime, Ally Reynolds (Weymouth, Mass.) scored her third overtime goal of the season to send the Wildcats to their fifth straight playoff appearance.

Mia Neas (Old Saybrook, Conn.), despite allowing an early goal, kept the Wildcats in the fight stopping seven of Binghamton's eight shots on goal for the win; her record is now even at 7-7-2 on the season.

The Wildcats return home for their final game of the regular season, facing the Hartford Hawks at Bremner Field. Senior Day festivities will take place before kick off, which is scheduled for 2 P.M.

GAME INFORMATION:
Date: October 18, 2018
Location: Bearcats Sports Complex – Vestal, N.Y.
Attendance: 153
Score: UNH 2 (7-7-2, 3-3-1 AE) Binghamton 1 (7-8-2, 2-5-0 AE)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Binghamton struck first when Kayla Saager weaved through the defense and tucked a shot away just nine minutes in.
The Wildcats answered back with a pair of scoring opportunities of their own, but neither were able to find the back of the net.
In the second half, the Wildcats got an early opportunity from Casey Peterson (Clifton, Va.) but her shot from beyond the 18 didn't have enough movement on it and it was saved.
Both teams fought for possession for much of the remaining minutes of the second half. Neither team spent more than a few seconds in each other's offensive zones, before the ball was cleared back to midfield.
Liz Lane (Porter, Maine) tried to get the 'Cats going with a shot almost from the end line that curved on net but it went just over the crossbar.
The Wildcats were finally able to get pressure on the Bearcats, getting their second corner kick in the 87^th minute.
After the initial chance from the corner went wide, Julie Cane (Titusville, N.J.) corralled the loose ball and lofted it on net, where it met Kaylan Williams who had no one else to beat, and she tapped it in for the equalizer.
It only took Ally Reynolds 1:19 into overtime to get her next chance. Williams sent in a shot that rattled off the crossbar, but Reynolds was in perfect position to charge the rebound and knock it in to secure the UNH victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

UNH only had two corner kicks in the contest to Binghamton's 10.
Binghamton held the slight advantage in shots, 16-14 overall and 8-7 on net.
New Hampshire took the only two shots in overtime.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

The Wildcats clinch a playoff berth with the win; in head coach Steve Welham's tenure, the Wildcats have not missed the playoffs.
The win was the first time this season the Wildcats won a game that they trailed at halftime (1-5-0) and just the second time they've won after allowing their opponent to score first (2-7-0).
UNH is 4-1-2 in overtime games this season, and 3-0-1 in games where they tally two goals.
The Wildcats will end the regular season with a 4-2-2 road record.
Ally Reynolds' goal was her fourth of the season, and her third game winner.
Kaylan Williams' goal was her third of the season, and was her first goal since tallying the Wildcats' first goal at Northeastern on September 9.