Lady Bears Soccer Falls to Brooklyn College in Double Overtime

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's soccer team and Brooklyn College squared off for the second time this season on Thursday afternoon at Brooklyn College. Unlike the first meeting that ended in an overtime draw, the Bulldogs scored the game-winning goal midway through the second overtime capturing a 2-1 triumph.

With the loss the Lady Bears fall to 2-3-2 while Brooklyn College raises their record to 4-4-1 with the victory.

The early moments of the game hinted at a repeat of the first matchup, which ended in a scoreless defensive stalemate, until St. Joseph's got on the board in the 31st minute with a goal from junior Cynthia Gambino (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney), her fifth of the season finishing a through ball from freshman Pamela Chernyakhovsky (Brooklyn, NY/Leon M. Goldstein).

The Lady Bears defense played well and kept the Bulldogs off the board despite being outshot 8-5 in the first half. Junior Nicole Farinella (East Patchogue, NY/Bellport HS) made six saves in the first half and stonewalled a breakaway attempt to preserve the Lady Bear lead heading into the break.

The Bulldogs intensified their pressure on the Lady Bears dominating the possession of the ball for most of the second half. The Lady Bears defense held strong despite facing a 10-1 shot disadvantage, before Shani Abrahams, the leading scorer for the Bulldogs, equalized the game in the 64th minute.

Farinella made key saves late in the second half ending up with four in the second stanza to help force the overtime session.

After a scoreless first overtime, Brooklyn College completed the comeback on a Sayla Flores golden goal midway through the second extra session.

Freshman Daniella Valencia (Corona, NY/Bayside HS) had a team-high four shots to lead the Lady Bears offense.

Flores and Abrahams combined for 19 shots to lead the Bulldogs, who finished with a 22-6 shot discrepancy.

St. Joseph's returns to the field on Saturday, October 13, hosting Sarah Lawrence College at Brooklyn Technical High School Field. Start time is slated for 3 p.m.