Special to Xpress
For the second game in a row, the SF State women’s soccer team won with a golden goal in extra time Monday afternoon against the Central Washington University Wildcats.
It took a touch flick in the 105th minute off a pass by freshman striker Chloe Harrington to junior midfielder Nicole Vanni to cap another well-played defensive game for the Gators.
Sound familiar?
That could be because this is Vanni’s second extra-time goal, both games ended with the Gators walking off the pitch victorious.
There were a few chances for the Gators to take the lead, most notably when senior striker Kiley Williams hit a ball from just outside the 18-yard box that came off the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
“That one was a bummer, I thought the goalie was going to deflect it and I was waiting for a rebound, but its just one of those unlucky things,” Vanni said.
Vanni’s goal came on a Gators counter attack and happened so quickly that it almost ended shockingly quickly.
“Earlier in the game we kind of had the same play but it didn’t go as well, I was just trying to get it on frame and away from the goalie.” Vanni said.
The defense didn’t allow the Central Washington offense to get in stride and spread the ball around, swarming the Wildcats players, not allowing them to make good passes.
“Our defense is solid, same as always, its one of the things our team is known for, we work together, and that’s what works best,” said senior goalkeeper Annicia Jones.
Jones had five saves in her second clean sheet of the season.
The Gators are looking forward to their next game and the start of CCAA League play at Cal State Monterey Bay where they will be looking to keep momentum from their good start.
“Its very positive going into league play, but I feel with this team that we haven’t hit half of what we can do,” said Head coach Jack Hyde. “We have players on the bench at the moment that we want to get in the games and step up a bit more.”
