Three second half goals lift Generals over Cougars

CRANFORD, NJ - The Herkimer Generals women's soccer team began their NJCAA DIII National Championship Tournament in dramatic fashion with a come from behind 3-2 victory over Region III rival Genesee Community College Thursday (11/13) at Ocean County Community College.

The Generals (14-2, 7-0) had the better of the play until Kayla Doyle of Genesee put the cougars up 1-0 in the 40th minute with a lofted shot from outside the 18 yard box over Herkimer's Sydney Stanley's head.

The Generals came out stronger in the second half looking for an equalizer until once again Genesee's Doyle found the net again giving them a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute.

The Generals persistence finally paid off when Emma Rexford headed home a Nicole Doolen cross to cut the deficit in half (2-1) in the 68th minute. Four minutes later, #4Pete, the duo would connect again as Rexford hammered a home a rebound from a Doolen shot.

Then later with only four minutes left Dani Nicosia beat two Genesee defenders and drove home the eventual game winner to give Herkimer a berth in the national championship semi-final.

Sydney Stanley had three saves for the Generals. Herkimer will play Richland College of Dallas, Texas at 6:00 p.m. Friday (11/14) night in the second semifinal game. In the first semifinal it will be Brookdale vs. Rock Valley.

Score:

HERK (14-2, 7-0) 3

GCC (15-4, 4-0)  

Halftime:

Genesee 1

Herkimer 0

Scoring:

Herkimer

Danielle Nicosia 1 goal

Nicole Doolen 2 assists

Emily Rexford 2 goals

Genesee

Ashley Makowski 1 assist

Kayla Doyle 2 goals

Goalies:

Generals

Sydney Stanley 14 saves

Cougars

Maddie Potter 7 saves

Next Game: 11/14 vs. Richland Thunderducks at 6 p.m.