Freshman forward Lora Lehr (Rosemere, Quebec/Villa Maria) (Rosemere, Quebec /Villa Maria/Dawson College) corralled junior midfielder Alex White (/Lynnfield)'s (Lynnfield, MA /Lynnfield) right-footed, cross-field service at the six-yard box, deked one Dragon, and drove home the game-winning golden goal in the 97th minute of overtime Friday, Sept. 8 at University Field. Lehr's execution proved a goal of firsts ? Head Coach Renee Montana's first Division I coaching victory, the Knights' first goal, and win, of 2006, in addition to Lehr's first tally in her collegiate career, as the Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team defeated Drexel, 1-0.
Senior goalkeeper Kyla Clark (/Notre Dame/Univ. of Texas - El Paso) (Ottawa, Ontario/Notre Dame/Univ. of Texas - El Paso) logged 77 minutes ? including ample time following a harsh collision with midfielder Kimberly Kabernagel that ultimately resulted in a yellow card ? en route to notching eight saves. Sophomore Rachel Derrico (/Canon McMillan) (Canonsburg, PA/Canon McMillian) replaced her teammate in net to earn the win in 25 minutes of action.
“No words can describe this feeling right now,” Montana said. “In regard to our effort, I could not have asked for more. It's nice to win on your home turf ? this (victory) sends a message that we're to be taken seriously.”
The Knights (1-3) peppered Drexel with 19 shots, including 12 in the first-half. Defensively, FDU thwarted eight corner opportunities from the Dragons.
Drexel (0-3) goalie Kaitlin Bond kept her team in the contest, tallying 16 saves. On two occasions the net-minder stoned runs by freshman forward Liza Offreda (/Midland Park) (East Rutherford, NJ/Midland Park), in addition to bullets by freshman midfielder Jennifer Arceneaux (/Ralston Valley) (Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley) and junior midfielder Michelle Decourcey (Fredericton, New Brunswick/Fredericton).
“Things are coming together,” Montana said. “If we continue to work together, good things will happen.”
The Knights face NJ foe Rutgers at 3:00 p.m. in Piscataway, Sunday, Sept. 10.
