Saints Are Golden…Again

September 20, 2011

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Once the game goes to overtime, Siena’s opponents are in trouble. Once again the Saints pulled out an overtime win – their ninth in their last ten OT contests – defeating Vermont 2-1 Tuesday afternoon at soggy Siena Field. Caitlin Cahalan scored both of Siena’s goals including the game-winner in the 94th minute on a penalty kick as the Saints won their 11th straight home game.

 

Additionally, the Saints (4-2) have won five straight overtime games overall and are undefeated now in their last 10 such matches (7-0-3) at Siena Field over the past six years.

 

The win also completed another undefeated non-conference regular season home record for the Saints for a fifth straight year. Siena will enter next season’s non-conference home slate with a 20-game unbeaten streak at an impressive 18-0-2.

 

Cahalan kept that record intact doing what she does best – converting set pieces. She scored on a free kick in the 15th minute before notching the game-winning tally.

 

Vermont (2-5-2) could not have had worse luck leading up to the PK. A harmlessly crossed ball left to right at the top of the box skipped on the wet surface, taking an awkward hop. The ball inadvertently struck the hand of a Catamounts’ defender who was whistled for the infraction setting up the penalty kick.

 

Cahalan improved to a perfect 3-for-3 in her career on PK’s as she kicked the Saints to victory. With her four-point performance, the junior moved into sole possession of seventh place on the program’s all-time career scoring list with 42 career points.

 

Cahalan’s first goal came on a 25-yard strike outside the box to the right which she roofed over UVM keeper Sarah Leiby. Although the Saints controlled tempo throughout, Vermont notched the equalizer 10 minutes later.

 

Off a cross into the box, a scrum ensued in front in which the ball deflected off multiple players on both teams before UVM’s Ellie Mills finally got a piece of it and tipped it in.

 

Siena came out firing in the second half taking the first seven shots, but could not cash in. Mixed in were several posts and crossbars as well as a couple of big saves by Leiby that sent the game to OT.

 

Leiby played strong in goal, making six saves. The Saints received solid goalkeeping from the duo of Erin Kelly and Taylor Booth. Kelly played the first half making three saves, while Booth played the second half and overtime making one save to earn the win in her collegiate debut.

 

Siena out-shot Vermont 22-9 and took a season-high 10 corners – three less than their total from their first five games combined.

 

With the win, the Saints have captured the last five meetings with UVM, outscoring the Catamounts 12-4 over that time after Vermont had won the first four all-time meetings.

 

The Saints return to action Sunday when they open a three-game road trip at Temple. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

 

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