Wellesley Soccer Overcomes Early Deficit to Tie Emerson, 2-2

BOSTON, Mass. – Wellesley College soccer scored two second-half goals to earn a tie, 2-2, with host Emerson in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Rotch Playground. Wellesley moves to 4-1-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play. Emerson has yet to drop a match this season, as the Lions now have a 6-0-1 (0-0-1 NEWMAC) record.

Emerson jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first half. Senior Tayllar Righini (Salem, N.H.) wasted little time scoring the game's first goal, as she put away her fifth of the season on an assist from classmate Mollie Coyne (Hamilton, N.J.) on Emerson's first shot of the contest.

The Lions extended their lead in the 25^th minute when first year Kira Venturini took advantage of a corner kick from classmate Rachel Lord to score her first collegiate goal.

Trailing by two goals for the first time all season, Wellesley responded in the second half, scoring a pair of their own to force the contest into extra time. Sophomore Gen Crotty (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) netted her first of the year just 2:19 into the second half to pull the Blue back to within a goal.

With the Blue back within striking distance, senior goalkeeper Kat Goldsmith (Armonk, N.Y.) turned aside an attempt from Emerson leading scorer Alexandra Dezenzo at 61:51 before Wellesley senior Juliette Fry (Atlanta, Ga.) countered with the game's tying goal less than a minute later.

Fry's first of the season, and sixth of her career, would be the last goal of the game, as the teams played out the rest of regulation and both overtimes without adding to the total.

Goldsmith made a season-high nine saves for the Blue, as the Lions got all 11 of their attempts on goal in the game. Emerson junior goalkeeper Melanie Escobar (Torrington, Conn.) made five saves on seven Wellesley shots on goal.

The Blue will return home for their next match on Saturday, September 26. Wellesley will host Sarah Lawrence for Senior Day as part of Homecoming Weekend. Emerson will host a Tuesday evening match versus Lesley 6:00 PM before returning to NEWMAC play next weekend.