Box Score HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Senior
Katie O'Keefe (Shamong, N.J./Seneca) scored the game-winning goal with 1:02 remaining in the second overtime to propel the Drew University women's soccer team (15-3) to a 3-2 victory over Juniata (14-5). The win advances the Rangers to their first Landmark Conference Championship since 2010.
O'Keefe was able to settle a ball inside in the box and fire a shot into the upper right corner for the game-winner. The unassisted goal was her fourth of the season and her 22
nd of her career. The Rangers struggled in the two overtime periods all the way up to that point, getting outshot, 5-1. The Rangers were finally able to draw a corner kick in the Juniata zone which enabled O'Keefe to get off the close range shot.
Drew avenged a 3-0 loss to the Eagles just five days ago in the regular season finale. Juniata was the second seed in the conference tournament after 4-2 conference record in 2013. The Rangers will take on top-seeded Scranton on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Royals defeated fourth-seeded Moravian, 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The Eagles got on the board first with a goal from Alicia Snyder assisted by Emily Green in the 22
nd minute of the match. The first half of play was virtually even as Juniata took eight shots and Drew took seven. The best chance for the Rangers in the first half came when senior
Liz Loiodice (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll) headed a corner kick on goal. The Eagles led the Rangers, 1-0 entering the half.
Sophomore
Emma Campbell (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill) tied the game 1-1 with her first of two goals on the afternoon in the 52nd. Campbell gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with 25 minutes left to play when she scored her second goal of the match by stealing the ball from a Juniata defender and putting a shot passed the Juniata goalkeeper. Just eight minutes later Snyder scored her second of the game on a penalty kick tying the game at two. A full 90 minutes was not enough to decide a winner as the teams ended regulation tied 2-2.
Senior
Agata Dera (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) got the start in net for the Rangers. Dera made three saves while allowing one goal. Sophomore
Sara Nash (Kingston, Wash./Kingston) played the second half and both overtimes in goal for the Rangers. Nash made five saves while holding the Eagle attack to just one goal. Nash picked up her 10
th win of the season.
The Rangers are seeking their first conference championship since 1997. The win marked the 15th of the season Drew, two shy of tying the school record of 17 set in both 1996 and 1997.