By By GREG KATSKI, Staff Writer
With three minutes left in overtime, Washington girls soccer senior Jeanna Buck scorched the ball past a diving Havelock goalkeeper to seal a senior night win, 2-1.
Buck pumped her fists after the climatic goal, a perfect sendoff for her and fellow seniors Marissa Smith and Yoanna Figeroa.
The goal was set up by Pam Pack super sophomore Beth Batchelor, who streaked down the Washington sideline on a breakaway seconds before the game-winning goal. A Havelock defender tried to shield off Batchelor from the net, grabbing her in the process. The hold warranted a free kick inside the Havelock box, and Batchelor set up Buck for a sweet finish, lofting the ball over the line of Rams defenders in front of her. The kick dropped right in front of Buck, who finished the play.
Batchelor, who was all over the field the whole game, and missed several breakaway opportunities, said she just calmed herself down for the kick.
Batchelor scored the first goal of the game with 28 minutes left in the first half. The score came on one of many breakaway opportunities for the Pam Pack.
Just before the Pam Pack goal, Washington goal keeper Noelle Gargaro made a diving save on a free kick by Rams standout Josie Adams.
After the goal the Pam Pack spent the majority of the first half on their heels.
The biggest scare of the frame came when Gargaro shanked a clear kick off the side of her foot, sending the ball squarely in front of an open Washington net. Rams forward Rhonie Elting squandered the chance by sending the ball wide right.
Gargaro got some help throughout the half from defender Kiki Bailey, who sent the ball out of the box numerous times.
The Rams continued their relentless attack in the second half, and finally got on the scoreboard with a slick header by Adams with 27 minutes in the frame.
The Coastal Conference foes spent the rest of the half volleying for a commanding 2-1 lead, but it wouldn’t come until Buck scored the game winner in overtime.
The first time the Pam Pack and Rams (9-6-2) squared off in Havelock, the Rams walked away with a 4-1 win.
Washington head coach Jimmy Kozuch said the win Monday night showed the improvement his young team has made throughout the year.
Buck, the team’s senior leader, echoed her coaches sentiments after the game.
The Pam Pack will get a chance to put their newfound confidence on full display on Wednesday as they face West Carteret at home in the regular season finale.