Down 1-0 at halftime, Christine Meconi fired the Drew women's soccer past the Juniata Eagles with a hat trick and an assist in the second half for a 4-1 win in Huntington, PA. The sophomore scored twice in four minutes before setting up Alyssa Goodman and then finishing off the contest with a breakaway goal in the 71st minute. Drew's Kim Jaikissoon was called upon for just one save in the game. At 3-1 in the Landmark Conference, Drew (6-6-2) is tied for first place with nine points with Moravian.
In brutal weather at Juniata, the Eagles grabbed an early lead. Lauren Brant turned in Erin Eddinger's assist from 11 yards out for the first half's only action. Both squads registered five shots on goal in the half with Jaikissoon making her lone save of the game.
Down 1-0 at the half in a key conference match, the Rangers responded perfectly. Just four minutes into the half Emily Weida crossed into the box where Meconi finished well for her first of the season.
It didn't take long for the sophomore to grab her second as she picked off a poor clearance by the Juniata keeper. Meconi calmly found the back of the net for the 2-1 lead in the 54th minute.
For the Rangers' third, Meconi played provider. The Brooklyn, NY native worked a give and go with Alyssa Goodman to the keeper's right before Goodman smacked it in from inside the 18.
Finally, Meconi scored a great fourth for her first career hat trick in the 71st. She outran the Eagle defense on the dribble before blasting Juniata's keeper.
The game winning performance from Meconi came at crucial time. The win puts Drew in a tie with Moravian on points with nine, though the Rangers have played one more game than the Greyhounds ahead of them and Catholic and Susquehanna behind them in third place. Drew has matches remaining with both of those teams before the end of the regular season. Moravian has trips to Scranton, Susquehanna and Catholic remaining.
Before the Rangers can get back to their Landmark playoff quest, they will travel to William Paterson on Thursday.
Drew University (6-6-2, 3-1-0 LC) vs. Juniata College (5-10-0, 1-3-0 LC)
Date: Oct 17, 2009 Attendance: 50
Weather: Overcast, rainy, 45 deg.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Drew University..... 0 4 - 4
Juniata College..... 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 16:46 JUNWS Lauren Brant (Erin Eddinger) - From 12yds out, 16 pass across box to 11
2. 49:39 DREWWS Christine Meconi (Emily Weida) - 15 finishes on cross from 20
3. 53:30 DREWWS Christine Meconi (unassisted) - JC keeper mishits GK, 15 intercepts
4. 60:24 DREWWS Alyssa Goodman (Christine Meconi) - Give-and-go to keeper's right, inside 18
5. 70:38 DREWWS Christine Meconi (unassisted) - Outruns JC def. w/ ball, blast past GK
Shots: Drew University 14, Juniata College 8
Saves: Drew University 1 (Kimberly Jaikisson 1), Juniata College 5 (L.
Auster-Gussman 5)
