Highlanders Break Overtime Streak, Win 2-1

Friday, October 22

Riverside, CA

UC Riverside

Idaho

Highlanders Break Overtime Streak, Win 2-1

10/22/2004 4:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer

UC Riverside broke a five-game winless streak in Big West Conference play, defeating Idaho 2-1 Friday at the UCR Soccer Stadium. Senior midfielder Kelly Hurley (Arcadia, CA/Arcadia HS) and freshman forward Jenna Leonti (Corona, CA/Santiago HS) collected the goals as the Highlanders tied the school record with their eleventh win of the season.

After playing five consecutive overtime matches, UCR was looking to avoid any extra periods, if possible. Riverside dominated much of the play in the first half, controlling the ball in midfield and keeping the Idaho attack at bay. The Highlanders held a 13-3 shot advantage for the game and were rewarded with a goal at 26:56. An Idaho clearance fell to junior midfielder Renee Scachetti (Torrance, CA/Bishop Montgomery HS), who chipped the ball back into the penalty box. Hurley lost her marker and hit a first-time right-footed volley into the bottom left corner for her second goal of the season.

Although they had more offensive chances, the Highlanders were unable to add to their tally in the first half. Sophomore forward Linda Allen (Wildomar, CA/Lake Elsinore HS) came closest on a through-ball but Vandal goalkeeper Lindsay Smith was able to get a hand to Allen’s shot.

UCR took a 2-0 lead eleven minutes into the second half. Sophomore forward Amber Plumlee (La Habra, CA/Sonora HS) eluded two defenders in a run down the left side and crossed to a waiting Leonti. Leonti’s finish, while not stylistic, still found the back of the net. The goal was Leonti’s seventh of the year, giving her the team lead and tying her with Scachetti and junior forward Vanessa Chanez (Placentia, CA/El Dorado HS) for the most in a single season. Plumlee’s assist was also a record, as her six this year are a new UCR mark.

Riverside was unable to relax with a 2-0 lead, however. Just 97 seconds later, Idaho (3-11-0, 1-5-0 Big West) pulled a goal back through a bizarre sequence of events. The Vandals took a free kick at midfield and sent it into the penalty box, where Scachetti’s attempted clearance hit the crossbar. With the ball shooting up in the air, Idaho’s Adriane Kehl got her head to it to make the score 2-1.

UCR had two more chances to extend its lead later in the half but Leonti’s shot was cleared off the line and Scachetti’s breakaway was stopped by Smith.

Highlander sophomore goalie Tawny Poggio (Santa Ana, CA/Mater Dei HS) recorded her school-record eleventh win of the year despite making no saves. Smith stopped six shots for the Vandals.

UCR (11-2-3, 1-2-3 Big West) plays its final home game of the season on Sunday against Utah State. The Highlanders will honor seniors Jessica Armel, Katie Blank, Erika Bligh, Katie Camerlengo, Kelly Hurley, Danica Pommerenck, and Kristi Tanaka in a ceremony prior to the 3:00 p.m. kick-off.