Syracuse University
Providence
Romagnuolo's Goal in OT Gives SU First BIG EAST Victory
9/24/2009 10:43:58 PM | Women's Soccer
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman Tina Romagnuolo's goal in the 100th minute gave the Syracuse women's soccer team a 2-1 double overtime victory against Providence in its home opener at the SU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 24. The win is Syracuse's first BIG EAST victory of the season, improving its league record to 1-1. The Orange has an overall mark of 4-4-2, while Providence goes to 5-4-1 overall, 0-2 in conference action.
Syracuse dominated the first overtime session, outshooting the Friars, 3-0. The Orange broke through in the second overtime off a corner kick. Sophomore Taylor Chamberlain put the ball in play to senior Chelsea Berry, who served the ball into the box to Romagnuolo. Romagnuolo put her shot past Providence goalkeeper Jill Schott for team-leading fifth goal of the season and her second game winner. Berry was credited with the assist on the play, moving her into a tie for ninth place on Syracuse's all-time leader list with nine career helpers.
“Today we showed we can finish,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “The win means a lot to the team to regain its confidence. It's nice to win at home. It can be unnerving to play at home, especially since we've been on the road for what seems like eternity. Now the team knows it can win on the road and at home.”
The Orange had to come from behind as Providence took a 1-0 lead on Courtney Collins' goal in the 68th minute. Syracuse quickly answered, tying the score on sophomore Amanda Morris' first goal of the season, which came on a hard shot from the right side of the goal in the 70th minute.
Syracuse recorded 13 shots and seven corner kicks, while Providence had seven shots and two corner kicks in the game. SU goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan (Burke, Va.) and Schott finished with three saves apiece.
The Orange was making its first appearance at the SU Soccer Stadium this season after opening the year with nine consecutive road games, the longest stretch of away contests in the history of the program. The victory improved SU's all-time record in home openers to 10-2-2.
Syracuse is back on the road on Sunday when it plays at Connecticut at 1 p.m. The Orange returns to the SU Soccer Stadium next weekend to host Cincinnati on Friday and Louisville on Sunday.
