Sheehan Gives Wildcats Win

UNH Battles Back to Beat Vermont

October 13, 2008

DURHAM, N.H. - Michelle Sheehan scored an unassisted goal in the 87th minute to break a 2-2 tie and lift the New Hampshire Wildcats past visiting Vermont, 3-2, in America East women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon.

The Catamounts held an early 2-0 lead on UNH after the first 20 minutes of play. Senior Erin Pichiotino (Burlington, Vt.) fed teammate Jessica Becker (Woodbridge, Conn.) off a corner kick and Becker was able to beat the New Hampshire goalkeeper for her first goal of the game in the second minute of action. It was Vermont's first goal in the first five minutes of a game all year.

In the 18th minute, senior Lexie Kaknes sent a shot at the goal but the UNH keeper was there to make the initial diving save. The rebound came back out to Carson Laderoute (Rutland, Vt.) who was there to clean it up, for her team-leading fourth goal of the year, and put Vermont ahead 2-0.

UNH evened the game with a pair of goals 1:44 apart before the end of the half. Morgan Keefe converted a pass from Amy Avitabile at 34:44 and then Avitabile assisted on Carole LeBlanc's tally in the 36th minute.

"The two goals they scored just before the half could have been prevented,” said Vermont coach Kwame Lloyd. “In the second half we were playing well and dangerous, but they got the luck of the bounce on the game-winning goal. Overall, I'm proud of the effort and the way we fought for the entire game."

The teams played through 42 minutes of scoreless soccer in the second half, but the Wildcats held a 10-5 advantage in shots in the second stanza. UNH was able to capitalize on the advantage in the 87th minute with Sheehan's fifth goal of the year on an awkwardly bouncing ball in the box.