Published: November 07, 2009 11:58 pm      

FSU’s Russell’s OT goal drops Altoona

Bobcats win AMCC title with 1-0 victory, advance to national tournament

FROSTBURG — With one mighty overtime blast, Lauren Russell lifted the Frostburg State women’s soccer team to a school-record win, the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium.

Russell’s goal lifted Frostburg State past Penn State Altoona, 1-0, and extended the Bobcats home unbeaten streak to 34 matches (31-0-3). The victory was a school-record 18th for the Bobcats (18-3), who will be making their first national tournament appearance since 2005.

It also gave the Bobcats a bit of revenge. The two teams had played in the conference championship match a year ago, with the Lions (17-4) winning on penalty kicks 4-3 in Altoona.

Russell’s goal came at 4:03 of the overtime. Amanda Wharton dropped the ball off to Russell, whose shot beat the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Lindsay Raspanti.

FSU led 17-6 in shots, including 10-1 in the second half.

The Frostburg State defense limited the Lions, the conference’s second-highest scoring team (3.05 goals per game) to just six shots, with only one on goal.

Raspanti made eight saves. FSU’s Michelle Buckmaster needed to make only one to get her eighth win of the season.