Maine Women Advance on Penalties

Phillips makes big save, converts game-winning PK

October 31, 2008

University of Maine keeper Jasmine Phillips did it all Thursday afternoon.

With the Black Bears’ America East first round match against Hartford tied at 1-1 after two overtime periods, the contest went to penalties.

Phillips made a save in the second round of the shootout, then sealed the victory by stepping up to the spot herself in the fifth and final round and converting the game-winning penalty for a 5-4 shootout win.

Maine will play at Boston University in the conference semifinals Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Hawks (8-6-5) took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute off a set play on a corner kick. Kacey Busque served a ball into the box from the far corner that was headed forward by classmate Lauren Aldred. Senior Kellie Leyland was waiting in front of the left post and quickly one-timed the ball home for her first goal of the season.

Hartford led 1-0 at the half but saw its lead vanish in the 50th minute. Maine had the ball locked in Hartford territory and sent it to the end line, where it was served in front of the goal. Hartford keeper Lauren Brodeur came out a few steps to intercept the cross, but in doing so she collided with another player and lost control of the ball.

It squirted out a few feet, just enough for Maine’s Carolyne Nellis to get a foot on it and poke it into the left side of the goal.

Both Phillips and Brodeur finished with a pair of saves. Hartford held a slight edge in shots (7-5) and corner kicks (3-0) but couldn’t take advantage.

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: Blink Del.icio.us Digg
Furl Google Simpy Spurl Technorati Y! MyWeb