Sullenger’s Late Goal Powers Women’s Soccer To Win

Friday, August 28

West Point, N.Y.

7 PM

Army West Point

2-1-0

Youngstown State

2-1-0

Youngstown State

Army West Point

Sullenger’s Late Goal Powers Women’s Soccer To Win

August 28, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Samantha Sullenger's first-career goal came at the perfect moment as the Army West Point women's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Youngstown State on Friday night at Clinton Field. The victory improved Army to 2-1-0 on the season and kept the Black Knights unbeaten at home.

Sam Gottlieb put Army in front early with her first tally of the season and the Black Knights survived a 79th minute equalizer by Youngstown State to hand the Penguins (2-1-0) their first loss.

"I am pleased that we responded to the goal we gave up at the end of the game and I thought it showed tremendous character," head coach Marcia McDermott said. "We also showed composure, and after we gave up the goal, we could have overreacted, but instead we kept calm and got the game winner."

The scoring chances came early and often for the Black Knights as they forced Youngstown State goalkeeper Elizabeth Balgoyen to make two saves and had another opportunity with a ball bouncing inside the six-yard box in the opening minutes. The home side broke through in the sixth minute when rookie Kayleigh Stallings threaded a pass through a pair of defenders for Gottlieb, who used one touch to split the Penguins' defense before blasting a right-footed strike under the crossbar.

Youngstown State earned a free kick in the center of the field in the 30th minute, but Army successfully defended the restart and the ensuing corner. Army goalkeeper Jordan Cassalia didn't need to make a save before intermission as the Penguins lone shot sailed high over the bar in the final moments of the period.

An hour into the match, Army had a pair of chances, but Youngstown State was able to keep the deficit at one. Katie Holder's shot skidded just wide of the near post and moments later a header by Clare Shea was corralled by Balgoyen.

Stallings nearly doubled the lead with a header in the 74th minute off a cross by Candace Stewart. The senior forward lifted a right-footed ball toward the goal from the right wing where Stallings deflected it just wide of frame.

The visitors evened the score in the 79th minute when Allison Green sent a shot over Cassalia's head and inside the side netting at the far post. The play was initially ruled a goal kick as the ball found its way through the netting behind Cassalia. The bizarre sequence was eventually ruled a goal after a Youngstown State assistant coach ran onto the pitch to get the attention of the referee. After the officials met and reversed the decision, the Penguins' bench was issued a red card.

Army controlled the match with a 19-2 advantage in shots, but found itself in a deadlock with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Black Knights earned a free kick and Hanna Rozzi's service found Holder, who directed a pass to Sullenger in front of the penalty spot. The rookie made no mistake and buried the game-winner at 82:37.
"This was the type of game we needed to play to play this time of year in order to get where we need to go," McDermott added.

The Cadets also managed a 7-2 edge in corner kicks and forced Balgoyen to make eight saves overall.

The Black Knights return to Clinton Field on Sunday afternoon when they host the defending Ivy League champions, Harvard, at 1 p.m. The match can be seen live on the Patriot League Network.

Game Notes: Gottlieb's goal was the fifth of her career … Cassalia moved to 17-17-6 in her career … six different Black Knights have recorded a goal in 2015, including three freshmen … the match was the first-ever meeting between Army West Point and Youngstown State … Holder and Rozzi each collected their second assists of the year.