STANDISH, ME - Sophomore Doe Leckie (Naples, Maine) scored with 10 seconds remaining in double-overtime to lift Saint Joseph's (3-0) past Husson University (0-6), 1-0, in non-conference women's soccer action at Westerlea Way Field on Wednesday afternoon.
The Monks, who outshot the visiting Eagles by a wide 37-6 margin, dominated play from wire to wire but would not hit pay dirt until the 110th minute. Sophomore Sam Peters (Gorham, Maine) gave the play a chance with a quick burst down the right sideline and kicked the ball just wide after turning the corner on near the end line. After a short scrum in the goalmouth, Leckie - who entered the match as a sub just minutes earlier - managed to collect the loose ball and buried a shot into the bottom left corner for the thrilling win.
St. Joe's had numerous opportunities to avoid extra play, perhaps none better than a shot by freshman Megen Pollini (Wolfeboro, N.H.) in the 75th minute. After collecting the ball near midfield, Pollini sent a booming kick towards the top right corner of the Husson goal, forcing Eagles keeper Jessica Poulin (Albion, Maine) to make an acrobatic save as she barely reached the ball and pinned it to the crossbar to delay the SJC victory.
Saint Joseph's junior netminder Jaci Lorenzen (Windham, Maine) was forced to make only three saves in what was her second shutout of the year, but made a diving stop early in the match and was quite active on the defensive end. Poulin was busy for the visitors, making 12 saves - including five over nearly 20 minutes of overtime play - in a losing effort.
Although she was unable to find the back of the net, freshman Hannah LeBlanc (Andover, Mass.) came off the bench to provide the Royal Blue with some very productive minutes as the rookie led all players with six shots on the afternoon.
With the victory, Saint Joseph's improves to 30-6 in the history of the series with Husson University, although the Monks had not defeated the Eagles since 2004 prior to today's triumph. Leckie's winner snapped a four-game losing streak at the hands of Husson.
With shutout wins over Thomas, Green Mountain and Husson, the Monks have held their first three opponents off the scoreboard for the first time in program history. Overall, St. Joe's has outscored the opposition by a 14-0 margin with a 91-7 advantage in shots so far this fall.
Saint Joseph's hosts Simmons College in the side's 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference opener on Saturday at 1:00 PM. Husson also returns to the pitch on Saturday when the Eagles kick off their North Atlantic Conference slate with a match versus Thomas College at 1:00 PM.
Saint Joseph's College, founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, celebrates its Centennial year in 2012 with a theme of "Realize the Promise" – honoring our commitment to educating well-rounded graduates who combine career focus with classic liberal arts studies. A Private, Catholic, primarily residential, coeducational liberal arts institution, Saint Joseph's welcomes students of all ages and all faiths. The campus, located 18 miles northwest of Portland and just two hours from Boston, encompasses 350 acres along the shore of beautiful Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine. Enrollment ranges between 1,000 and 1,100 students annually. Saint Joseph's offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education, nursing and business fields in a value-centered environment.
