NEW YORK, NY – The women's soccer team hosted the College of Saint Elizabeth Tuesday night, and played to a 0-0 tie after two 10-minute overtime periods. The Maccabees stopped 10 shots in all 110 minutes, while the Eagles of Saint Elizabeth recorded 6 saves. Yeshiva stands at 1-7-1 overall.
The Maccabees put on a defensive show in the first half, holding their opponent to only 5 shots (1 on goal) and forcing the Eagles offsides 4 times. Yeshiva had one opportunity to score in the half, but a diving save prevented the score.
The second half proved to be even more of a defensive game, as each teams' offense came alive. Odelia Rosenberg made 5 saves, and the Maccabees made another as a team to keep the 0 on the board. Monika Lalezarzadeh was the Maccabees' defensive hero, as she thwarted a late second half attempt by the Eagles to break the tie. With less than 10 minutes showing on the clock, the Eagles broke out in a 2-0 breakaway that looked promising for Saint Elizabeth. Sprinting from midfield, Monika caught up with the ball just before a shot was taken, and a sliding attempt at the ball knocked it away from Saint Elizabeth to save what could have been the go-ahead goal.
In another late second half 2-0 breakaway, Odelia Rosenberg stepped up to the plate and made a diving kick save as she and the attacking Eagle's collided while Odelia was coming out of the net to grab the ball. The ball shot out of bounds and Saint Elizabeth was left with a throw-in from the side.
The Maccabees offense was also much more present in the second half, taking 5 shots, all on goal. A foul just outside the box gave Yeshiva a free kick that Rochelle Friedman nearly put in goal, but a leaping save prevented it.
In the overtime period, both teams were clearly getting tired, but neither gave in. Each team attempted one shot in the first overtime, and Saint Elizabeth got off the only shot on goal in the second overtime period. Rosenberg ended the game having made 9 saves.
The Maccabees have a day of practice before their next game on Thursday. The home game against Maritime College is set to begin at 8:00 pm.
