Pallotta's Goal Sails Into Net for Women's Soccer OT Victory Over Vikings

Release courtesy of Framingham State athletics

Framingham, Mass. – Junior Angela Pallotta scored off a corner just over two minutes into overtime to propel the Framingham State University women’s soccer team to 2-1 victory over Salem State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action Saturday morning at Maple Street Field.

With the victory, the Rams improve to 7-5-2 on the year and are now 2-1-2 in the conference. With the loss, the Vikings fall to 4-8-1 overall and are now 2-3 in the Conference.

Salem State staked themselves the early lead with a goal in the 9th minute of action. Senior Kelly Birchmore (Swampscott, Mass.) took a pass and worked around a Ram defender. Once free, Birchmore fired a shot that sailed over the Rams keeper’s head and into the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.

The lead would stand until the 25th minute of play as the Rams struck for the equalizer. Senior Marissa Miele sent a pass through to freshman Megan White and White connected for her fourth of the season.

Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the second half, but the Rams had a pair of quality scoring chances in the final two minutes of the frame. With just over 1:30 remaining, freshman Melissa Sybertz collected a rebound in the box, but her shot sailed just wide keeping the game tied at 1-1. A minute later, senior Brini Varetimos headed a cross in the box towards the goal, but the Salem State keeper, Melissa Toomey , was able to come up with the save sending the game to overtime.

The Rams controlled play in the overtime frame and were awarded a corner just under two minutes into the extra time. White took the corner and sent the ball into the box where it deflected off the Vikings keeper right to Pallotta, who one timed a shot into the back of the net for the victory.

The Rams outshot the Vikings 18-11 in the game and held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Freshman Keyonzia Gagne-Lamoureux came on in relief in the first half trailing 1-0 and made five saves en route to earning the victory in net. Toomey suffered the loss for the Vikings despite making six saves.

The Rams are back in action on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to the University of Southern Maine at 3:30 p.m.