Wellesley Soccer Continues Unbeaten Streak with 2OT Tie Against Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. - The Wellesley College soccer team ran its unbeaten streak to five games, as the Blue earned a hard-fought 1-1 double overtime draw on the road at Endicott on Wednesday evening. Wellesley moves to 5-1-1 on the season, while Endicott, who advanced to the NCAA second round in 2013, sees its record go to 2-2-2.

The first half saw both teams battle to a scoreless draw after a physical period in which each team committed five fouls. Endicott held the edge in possession, out-shooting the Blue, 9-4. Wellesley's Claire Cerda made six saves in the half to keep the Gulls off the board, while Endicott's Katie Donnelly recorded a pair of stops in the stanza. 

The second half covered all of the offensive action in the match, with both teams scoring in a six-minute span. The first goal came from the home team as Endicott gained control at 1-0 following a blue collar goal in the 56th minute. Junior Ashley Mueskes crossed a ball from the right sideline and to the top of the box where classmate LeeAnn Card made a run onto the pass. Card fired off a powerful strike that glanced off of a defender and changed direction to beat the diving Cerda.

Wellesley was quick to answer, capitalizing on a deep run down the right side by Juliette Fry in the 61st minute. The junior was able to stretch the defense and find a cutting Abigail Hess in the middle of the Endicott box. Hess connected on a hard shot to the lower left corner that beat a diving Donnelly to knot the score up at 1-1 with just over 28 minutes left in regulation.

The best scoring chance after the goals came from Endicott as sophomore Shelby McLenithan as she nearly gave the Gulls the lead in the 77th minute off of a beautiful through ball.  McLenithan ran onto the ball, juked the Wellesley keeper and in a tiny window, unleashed a shot that was just blocked by a Wellesley defender's diving attempt.

Both teams played the remainder of the half scoreless and prepared for overtime tied 1-1.  The second half was much more balanced offensively, with Endicott barely holding the edge in shots 7-6 and corners, 3-0. Wellesley stepped up the physicality in the second half, drawing the edge in fouls, 5-3, and also in quality scoring chances, causing Donnelly to make three saves while Cerda needed just one.  

In the two overtime periods, both squads struggled to mount any serious threats as the Gulls kept the Blue from recording a shot in both 10 minute periods and Wellesley limited Endicott to just one in each period. Wellesley was awarded two corners in the second overtime but came up empty on both to preserve the 1-1 tie.

After 110 minutes of play, Endicott held the edge in shots (18-10) and corner kicks (5-3). Cerda finished with seven saves for the Blue, while the Gulls' Donnelly had five.

Both teams return to action on Saturday with conference games. Wellesley hosts Emerson at 1:00pm to begin its NEWMAC slate, while Endicott travels to Nichols for a 11:00am CCC clash.