Pascale's Two-Goals Propels Bulldogs into NE-10 Semifinals Friday
Women's Soccer NE-10 Quarterfinal
October 24, 2006
BRYANT DEFEATS MERRIMACK 2-1 IN NE-10 QUARTERFINALS
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| Diane Pascale scored both goals in Bryant's 2-1 win over Merrimack in Tuesday's Northeast-10 Conference quarterfinal game at Bulldog Stadium. http://www.dspics.com/ |
SMITHFIELD, RI - Bryant University junior Diane Pascale (Plymouth, MA) scored two goals including the game-winner in the 81st minute as the fourth-seeded Bulldogs defeated Merrimack College, 2-1 in a Northeast-10 Conference Quarterfinal round match on a cold and blustery afternoon at Bulldog Stadium. Merrimack, the No. 5 seed of the tournament, falls to 13-5-1 on the season.
With the win, Bryant will advance to the Northeast-10 Conference semifinals where they'll face top-ranked Saint Rose Friday.
Tied 1-1 with the regulation clock winding down, the Bulldogs finally broke through the Warrior defense as Danielle Malta (Bethel, CT) gathered a loose ball from the midfield circle and fed a cutting Pascale with a precise pass down the left side behind the Warrior defense. Pascale, who entered the game with five game-winning goals, blasted a low shot for her sixth game-winner sending the Bulldogs to the semifinals.
The win for Bryant (14-6-1) avenges last year's first round loss to Merrimack as the Bulldogs have tied the school record for wins in a season.
Bryant, the No. 4 seed of the tournament, struck first in the early going, applying pressure on the Merrimack defense. Pascale appeared to have put the Bulldogs ahead in the sixth minute, but her header off a corner kick was ruled offside. But a few minutes later, Pascale would not be denied as she picked up a loose ball after battling Merrimack goalie Cait Stephan and tucked away the game's first goal.
While the Bulldogs dominated in the early going, Merrimack started to spread the field with crisp passing and started to apply pressure on the Bryant defense.
Just as Bryant had a goal called back, the the Warriors had what would have been the equalizer called back after whistled for offsides. But in the 18th minute, Heather Carr tied the game with a goal after taking a nice feed from Jennifer Conway to tie the game 1-1.
It was Carr's second goal of the season.
In the second half, the Bulldogs took advantage of a strong wind to their backs in dominating much of the play on the Warriors side. Alaina Iannazzi missed converting on a cornerkick by the Bulldogs with 15 minutes remaining in the second half, but her shot went wide past the left post.
Moments later, Pascale would assure Bryant's playoff drive would continue with the game-winner.
Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs moved up to fourth in the NCAA Division II Northeast Region Rankings, with the Warriors being ranked fifth. The top-four ranked teams will advance to the NCAA Tournament.
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