NEWTON, Mass. (information taken from a Lasell press release) -- Junior forward Sapir Edalati (Great Neck, N.Y./Great Neck South) scored her second goal of the game 34 seconds into overtime to lift the 12th-ranked Brandeis University women's soccer team past host Lasell College, 3-2, in a rematch of a 2012 NCAA Tournament contest. With the win, the Judges improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Lasers suffer their first loss and fall to 3-1.
Brandeis scored the lone goal of the first half when junior forward Dara Spital (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) took a feed from rookie Cidney Moscovich (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades) on the right side of the box and fired a shot just inside the right post to put the visitors in front in the 27th minute. The goal was Spital's fourth of the season and the 18th of her career, while the assist was Moscovich's first of her collegiate career.
Brandeis held a five to one advantage in shots in the opening half, and Lasell's Leah Pappalardo (Whitman, Mass.) made four saves to keep the hosts within striking distance.
The Lasers drew level in the 56th minute when a Devon Day (Hartford, Vt.) corner kick found Bridget Lynch (Dover, N.H.) inside the top of the 6 yard box for an easy finish, knotting the score at 1-1.
Spital sprung Edalati with a long ball that Edalati slid past Pappalardo to put Brandeis back in front, 2-1 in the 69th minute. Edalati's first goal of the game was the 11th of her career.
Kayla Lynch (Dover, N.H.) pulled Lasell back just six minutes later, when a throw-in by Arianna DiOrio (Revere, Mass.) found Lynch inside the box, where Lynch took a touch and slotted past Judge junior keeper Michelle Savuto (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) tying the match 2-2. Both teams created chances in the final 15 minutes of regulation but neither team was able to break the deadlock and the two teams headed to extra time.
A failed clearance by Lasell deflected past Lasell's Papallardo to an unmarked Edalati in the box where she calmly touched the ball over the goal line to give Brandeis the 3-2 win just 34 seconds into the extra session. The goal was the third game-winner of Edalati's career - and the second against the Lasers, having won last year's NCAA post-season showdown as well - and gave her her second multi-goal game.
Pappalardo made eight saves in the contest for Lasell, while Savuto stopped four shots in the net for Brandeis. Lasell will return to action onTuesday September 10th at 4:00 p.m. when they host Endicott College at Grellier Field, while Brandeis will play host to Bridgewater State at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday September 10th.