Curtin's Overtime Heroics Give Women’s Soccer 3-2 Win

CONCORD, N.H. ---- Sophomore Olivia Curtin (Abington) lofted a pass from Kayla Gomes (Halifax) for a golden goal five minutes into overtime as the Massasoit women's soccer team topped New Hampshire Technical Institute, 3-2, in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon.

NHTI sent the game to overtime, when the Lynx found the back of the net with less than five minutes to play in regulation.  

In extra time, Gomes took the ball down the right side, made a move and passed to an open Curtin who provided the heroics by netting her first goal of the season.

With the win, Massasoit improves to 8-4 on the season.

The contest appeared to go to the half scoreless, until Zhandali Fontes (Taunton) cross a pass to Gomes, who ripped a shot past the NHTI keeper with just 10 seconds remaining in the opening stanza. The goal was the 18th of the season for Gomes.

In the 60th minute, NHTI got on the scoreboard as the Warriors were whistled for a foul inside the box. The Lynx would convert the penalty kick to knot up the score, 1-1.

The seesaw second-half scoring would sway back in favor of Massasoit when Gina Nutting (Rockland) rifled a pass from Fontes from 30 yards to retake the lead in the 62nd minute of action.

Clinging to a one-goal lead, the Lynx found the back of the net in the 86th minute on a lofted shot that tapped off the far post and in to even the score.

The Warriors, which played with only the 11 starters and no bench players, buckled down in overtime and claimed the win thanks to the foot of Curtin at the 94:11 minute mark.

Massasoit goalkeeper Laura Ellis (Raynham) finished with seven saves in the victory.

Overall, the Warriors fired off 31 shots, 17 coming on goal. NHTI attempted only 13 total shots, and just four after the first half.

WHY MASSASOIT WON: The Warriors had plenty of chances, especially after the first half. Massasoit out-shot NHTI 17-4 during the second half and overtime period and kept the pressure on the Lynx defense throughout the contest.

CURTIN CALL: The golden goal for Olivia Curtin marked the first of the season for the sophomore. Curtin had moved up from midfield to forward midway through the second half and for the overtime period and the position change paid off for the Warriors.

NO SUBS, NO PROBLEMS: Massasoit only suited up 11 players on Saturday as the starters went all 94-plus minutes in the victory.