YORK, PA – Stephanie Rice (Glen Rock, Pa./Susquehannock) scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime, as the York College women's soccer team defeated 16^th-ranked Salisbury University 2-1 in a key Capital Athletic Conference match on Sunday afternoon at Graham Field.

Carly Bock (Baltimore, Md./Catonsville) served a gorgeous cross from the right side into the box, finding Rice near the far post as she ran through the ball, tucking it away with less than seven minutes left to play in the double-overtime match. The victory advances York's record to 10-2-1 (3-0-1 CAC) as Rice tallied her third goal of the season.

Salisbury (6-3-2, 3-1 CAC) struck first as Hilary Grove scored off a free kick from 25 yards out in the game's 38^th minute. Grove's shot coasted just over the outstretched arms of Spartan goalkeeper Sarah Spanarkel (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) to give the visitors the early advantage.

York took their first corner kick of the match in the 57^th minute and made the most of their opportunity. Steph Mergler (Street, Md./North Harford) struck corner from the right side as it then deflected off a Salisbury defender and jetted into the air. Bock then camped under the spiraling ball before lofting a header into the top right corner of the goal to tie the match at one apiece.

The Spartans nearly closed out the match within the first 90 minutes. A Kaitlyn Harney (Stewartstown, Pa./York Catholic) corner kick, with less than 1:30 to go in regulation, came free in front of the goal as Erin Mummert (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) snapped home the header. Unfortunately for the Green and White, a Spartan foul negated the potential game-winner allowing the match to spill into overtime.

Spanarkel advanced her record to 10-2-1 on the year and made several key plays for the Green and White. During the second half she found herself covering large portions of her box, challenging Salisbury attackers, and cutting off dangerous chances while she made four saves on the day. Salisbury netminder Melissa Orgera suffers the loss while she also made four stops over the match's 103:43.

The Spartan defense played exceptionally well throughout the match, denying the potent Sea Gull offense time and again. Senior stalwarts Lauren Stewart (West River, Md./Southern) and Jackie Moser (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) paced the Green and White defensive effort as they continually thwarted Salisbury's dangerous attack throughout the 90 minutes of play.

The Sea Gulls did own a 16-11 advantage in shots on the day while York grabbed a 5-2 lead in corners as the Spartans took all five in the second stanza.

This was the third year in a row that the York – Salisbury regular season match has finished by a just a one-goal margin, Salisbury won the previous two, and the second year in a row that the game went into overtime.

The Spartans have another quick turnaround as they are set to host CAC counterpart Gallaudet on Tuesday, October 13. York squares off with the Bison in a 4:00 p.m. conference tilt.

BOX SCORE

Stephanie Rice celebrates her game-winning goal against Salisbury on Sunday - photo courtesy of Zach Clabaugh

Game story written by Matt Clark - York College sports information student-intern