MANSFIELD, Conn. -- Bridgewater State College freshman keeper Allison Dexter (Plymouth, MA) made a kick save on Eastern Connecticut State University's best scoring chance with 5:32 left in the second half as the teams played to a scoreless double overtime draw Wednesday afternoon at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.
The scoreless tie is the first between the teams in this 18th-game series dating back to 1991 and only the second tie between the clubs, first since a 2-2 score in the first match in the series in 1991.
Eastern (1-1-1) had a number of scoring chances - especially in the second half - but could not break through despite a 15-6 advantage in shots. The biggest of Dexter's ten saves came with 5:32 left in regulation when she denied Eastern sophomore Lauren Greeney (Bethel, CT) with a right-footed kick save on Greeney's bid from the right post.
Bridgewater starting backs Yasmina Carvalho (Brockton, MA) and Alyson Johnson (Stamford, CT) played large roles in keeping Eastern off the board inside 18 yards. With 13 minutes gone in the second half, Greeney made a long run toward goal on a pass from freshman Taylor Buchanan (Enfield, CT), but Johnson came across to clear the ball away on Greeney's baseline bid.
Six minutes after Greeney's chance, Eastern's Jo-Ann Merheb (Bethel, CT) sent a header off Stephanie Norell's (Stratford, CT) corner kick wide of the right post. With nine minutes left, Buchanan was alone near the right post but her hooked shot was saved by Dexter.
Bridgewater nearly won the game six minutes into overtime when an Eastern defender knocked the ball off the left post and the rebound was cleared away by senior Sarah Swann (Oxford, CT).
Eastern senior keeper Kim Church (Farmington, CT) made three saves to notch her sixth career full-match shutout, fifth in two years.