Mullaney's three goals lead IND to 3-2 overtime win over first-place John Carroll in regular season finale

The Institute of Notre Dame soccer team was up for the challenge of taking on first-place John Carroll yesterday, as the Indians ambushed the Patriots, 3-2 in overtime, behind three goals from Sabrina Mullaney, in IAAM A-Conference soccer action at Meadowood Park in Brooklandville.

IND may have caught JC at the perfect time, as the visitors were coming off a huge win on Tuesday when they defeated No. 1 Archbishop Spalding, breaking the Cavaliers’ 37-game unbeaten streak.

As John Carroll Coach Gary Lynch said after Tuesday’s game, when asked about getting his team up for Thursday’s match, “It will be tough, some girls played a full 80 minutes of tough, tough soccer against a superbly talented team.”

Whether No. 2 John Carroll was a bit flat after Tuesday’s huge win – which often happens in sports after an emotional win - is anybody’s guess. Or maybe it was just that the Patriots were playing another superbly talented team, as IND is ranked No. 8, so certainly a quality opponent that JC was not taking lightly.

IND scored first on a chip pass from junior Kat Sipes to senior striker Mullaney.  John Carroll then responded, scoring twice on consecutive corner kicks.

In both cases, junior Brittany Dashiell's corners were headed in by senior Allyson Carey, according to IND Head Coach Lou Karko.  John Carroll took that 2-1 lead into the half.

The second half was a battle, with the Patriots keeping the pressure on IND goalie, Lauren Vetock, who came through in the clutch with16 saves as JC peppered the goal.  Mullaney tied the match on a through ball played by Sipes, her second assist of the day.  Both teams had several opportunities to score, but regulation ended in a 2-2 deadlock. 

“Midway through the first overtime, senior Jordan Driscoll pushed up from her defensive position to serve a ball over the John Carroll defenders to Mullaney, who again scored to win the game,” Karko said in describing the game-winning goal.

John Carroll finished the regular season at 9-1(27 points), being denied a perfect slate, but still finishing in first place. IND ended at 8-2, good for either second or third place, with 24 points.  Spalding sits at 7-1-1 (22 points) and finishes its regular season today, playing at Mercy.

Institute of Notre Dame 3, John Carroll 2
Goals: JC-Carey 2; IND-Mullaney 3. Assists: JC-Dashiell 2; IND-Sipes 2, Driscoll. Saves: JC-Ripple 2, Mosier 2; IND-Vetock 16.
Half: JC, 2-1. Reg: 2-2.