Nov. 21, 2009

Courtesy of Ithaca Athletics

Williamstown, Mass. - The #15 Ithaca women's soccer team (16-4-2) scored the game-winning goal in overtime of a 2-1 win over #27 Rowan in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament sectional semifinals hosted by Williams. Ithaca advances to the sectional final Sunday at 1 p.m. and will face #23 College of New Jersey.

Senior midfielder Amy Scheffer (Schalmont/Schenectady) scored both goals for Ithaca, including the winner in the 97th minute off an assist from freshman midfielder Ca2-1roline Jastremski (Notre Dame Academy/Staten Island). Jastremski lofted a cross from the left side and Scheffer nodded in a clear header from 11 yards out right in front of goal. Scheffer scored her team-leading 15th and 16th goals of the season. Her 16 goals and 35 points this season are career highs.

Scheffer opened the scoring in the 59th minute on a strong individual effort in which she dribbled past the Rowan defense and tucked a chipped shot past the goalkeeper and inside of the right post. Rowan tied the game in the 82nd minute on a hard shot from Jess Babice into the upper-right hand corner of the net on an assist from Marina Mangano. It was the 22nd goal of the year for Babice. She had an opportunity to score the go-ahead goal in the final two minutes of the second half but shot wide from right in front of the net.

Bomber junior goalkeeper Jessica Platt (Monument Mountain/New Marlborough, Mass.) made three saves in the game. Ithaca held a 17-10 advantage in shots and and a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks in the game. Rowan goalkeeper Sarah Volkomer made five saves.