Converse beats Queens 3-2
Spartanburg, SC – On a cold afternoon that produced five goals, one red card and numerous close chances, it would be Spartanburg native Sam Chapman that would steal the show for the Converse All-Stars with two goals including the winner in double-overtime.
For Converse, it was their first win over Queens in the history of their program and allowed them to escape with a win in a game that looked like it was slipping away when they were reduced to 10 players with eight minutes remaining in regulation. Queens opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a goal from Jackie Groff but Converse was able to tie the game up just one minute before half time with a goal from Paige Kohler (Seneca, SC) on an assist from Brittnay Moreno (Seneca, SC).
Converse would strike ten minutes into the second half with a stunning 30 yard strike from Chapman that flew into the top left hand corner. Converse was however unable to hold on to the lead as Maria Housiadas hit a fine shot from outside the box to tie the game in the 72nd minute. From that point on Queens created chances they weren’t able to capitalize on and only some fine saves from Brandi Criscitiello (Maysville, NC) and the crossbar kept Converse in it.
The game appeared to change in the 82nd minute when Kohler was sent off for her second yellow card and the game seemed destined for a tie until Mendy Dillard (Enoree, SC) was brought down by the Queens keeper after breaking through under pressure. It was up to Chapman to coolly slot the winning PK and allow Converse to record an historic victory at the 107:23 mark, the latest in Converse Soccer history.
The All-Stars improve to 4-12-1 and travel to Erskine Thursday while Queens drops to 7-7-1 and host Limestone College Thursday afternoon.
2OT
Converse College 3 (Chapman 2, Kohler)
Queens University 2 (Groff, Housiadas)