“The women’s soccer team scored in the final seconds of its game against Binghamton Sunday night, to force overtime and win the third annual women’s Westfield Insurance Cup. The Zips defeated St. Francis with a score of 3-1 Friday night in the first game of the tournament.”
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The women’s soccer team scored in the final seconds of its game against Binghamton Sunday night, to force overtime and win the third annual women’s Westfield Insurance Cup.

The Zips defeated St. Francis with a score of 3-1 Friday night in the first game of the tournament. Britni Back, Jessica Fix and Leslie Bullen all found the net for the Zips, who never trailed in the game. The team played aggressively as they took 11 shots, including seven on goal. St. Francis took five shots with three on goal.

I thought we distributed the ball very well, Zips Coach Catherine Byrne said after the game.

Our touch was on and we were all in sync with each other, and as a team of players that is very talented and works very hard together, it’s just a glimpse of what we can do.

The Zips proved Byrne’s comments true in their next match with Binghamton. After staying scoreless for most of the game, Binghamton caught a break as Danielle White was able to find an open net and score an easy goal with 19 minutes left in the game.

With less than two minutes left, Donna Swift connected on a 35 yard direct kick that was just out of reach of Binghamton goalkeeper Erin Iman.

As soon as it left my foot I knew it was on target, Swift said of her shot.

The goal sent the game to overtime, but neither team was able to score and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. The Zips took the victory in the tournament because of point differential.

It’s important that you start off your season executing your plan of action, Byrne said.

It was a recurring theme as she talked about the win.

You’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some, but if you’re looking to execute your game plan, it is going to come to you in the end, Byrne said.

Byrne praised Iman’s performance.

I have to hand it to the goalkeeper from Binghamton. I think she did a great job and it made the game exciting. We created a lot of opportunities, so it was only a matter of time before they started going in.

Swift also spoke of the Zip’s plan of action I thought it was a tough game, but we did our game plan. We played well as a team, passed and possessed the ball well and found our strikers well.

Swift, Fix, Back and Kathy Tegge were named to the All-Tournament team. Back and Tegge also received individual awards as Back was named the offensive MVP and Tegge was named the defensive MVP of the tournament.

The Zips will return to action this weekend against St. Bonaventure in St. Bonaventure, NY and Canisius in Buffalo, NY.

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” #1.1361899:1011027790.JPG:SFU205.JPG:Sophomore Britni Back earned the offensive MVP award in the Westfield Insurance Cup Sunday.:Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography”