Sept. 16, 2005

Box Score

TEANECK, NJ - Sophomore defender Amanda Wheeler (Marlton, NJ) led the Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime victory against visiting Binghamton (4-2-1) at University Field on Friday afternoon. Wheeler scored both the equalizer and the game-winner to improve the Knights' record to 4-3.

Wheeler won the game when she found the back of the net two and a half minutes into the second overtime. Senior defender Jennifer Tarvin (Escondido, CA) sent a long corner kick in front of the net, which Wheeler headed in to end the game and give the Knights the dramatic win.

Junior forward Kelly Burnham (Endicott, NY) opened scoring right away in the seventh minute when she put the Bearcats on the board with a blast from the right side into the bottom left corner. The opportunity was created off senior defender Meghan Taylor's (Campbell Hall, NY) free kick, followed by senior defender Vicky Vernicek's (Oswego, NY) header to Burnham.

Senior defender Danielle McAnally (Wallingford, PA) took a ball off a deflection and sent it to Wheeler, who took it from the scramble in front of the net and buried it for the equalizer in the 23rd minute.

The two teams remained scoreless through the second half and the first overtime. Junior goalkeeper Kyla Clark (Ottawa, Ontario) made six saves for the Knights, while junior Kristy Doerner (Shoreham, NY) made eight saves for the Bearcats.

"We really battled," said Head Coach Peter Gaglioti. "We did some things really well defensively. Despite a lapse in the second half when they were winning a lot of the air balls, we didn't give them many opportunities. Most threats that they got were off of free kicks. Offensively, when we are disciplined, simple and committed, I think we are a fun team to watch and a dangerous team to play."

"The only thing we need to do better is finish chances that we create," said Gaglioti. "We really showed character, this being our first overtime game, staying focused and within the structure. It was a great goal off a corner by Amanda. We are always looking to be better and sharper but overall, I'm happy with the way things went. We are off to a good start this season and after we fine tune a few things, we hope to open up our conference season strong and make another run at the title."

The Knights are back in action on Sunday, when they travel to Hempstead, NY to play Hofstra at 7:00 p.m.