Rockets Defeat Grizz in Dramatic Fashion Thursday Night

Thursday, September 5

Toledo, Ohio

7:00 P.M.

University of Toledo

1-3-0, 0-0-0

Oakland

2-1-1, 0-0-0

Oakland

Toledo

Anita Mancini (4) recorded her third career goal in the 55' to start the Rockets' scoring spree.

Photo by: Evan Procaccini

Rockets Defeat Grizz in Dramatic Fashion Thursday Night

9/5/2019 10:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo scored four second-half goals -- including the game-winner by freshman Stephanie Currie in the 89' -- to win its first game of the season in a 4-3 victory over a pesky Oakland squad at Paul Hotmer Field Thursday night.

After a scoreless first half, sophomore Anita Mancini began the scoring onslaught for the Rockets (1-3-0) at the 55' mark. A corner kick from Currie was sent directly into the box and senior Sheridan Bufe headed it to Mancini's feet, who then buried in the back of the net. Just four minutes later, Bufe added a goal of her own, as junior Sophia Lewis took a corner from the other side of the field and set up the senior defenseman with a bullet from the top of the six.

Oakland (2-1-1) cut the Rockets' lead to 2-1 in the 59' when Sami Lopez took a pass from Natalie Abbate for her third goal of the season. The Rockets refused to be shaken, as they added a third marker when freshman Madison Medalle fought her way through two defenders to sneak one past the Grizz's keeper. Oakland added two goals in the next 12 minutes, tying the game and making it appear as if the contest might go into extra time.

However, Currie made sure the fate of the game was determined in regulation. A pass from Lewis cleared the defensive third to Mancini in the middle third. Mancini then broke her way past a defender and sent a through ball across the top of the box to Currie, who cut past the keeper and touch it to the opposite side of the net with slightly more than a minute left in regulation.

QUOTE OF THE MATCH FROM HEAD COACH TJ BUCHHOLZ
"It was awesome, I am so proud of the girls. We had a tough start with things, but I think what you saw today is what we were seeing all in the first three games. We were having chances and they just weren't going our way. To just see them persevere and fight to get those goals, it's what we're been waiting for as a team."

WORDS FROM STITCH
"I'm honestly in shock, it was so surreal," said freshman Stephanie "Stitch" Currie. "It was the last minute of the game, and we just never gave up. We put it away and here we are, first win of the year. It's pretty exciting."

STAT OF THE MATCH

Four different Rockets notched goals during the match, with Stephanie Currie, Madison Medalle, and Sheridan Bufe each scoring their first collegiate goals.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Rockets' 4-3 victory tonight extends their win streak over the Grizz to four.
Sophomore Anita Mancini had her third career goal in the 55th minute.
Junior Sophia Lewis registered two assists.
Senior Sheridan Bufe scored her first career goal in the 59th minute of the game.
Madison Perrin made her 2019 debut, registering three saves.
Attendance: 421