Dodgers Girls Soccer Gains 2nd Straight Draw

The Madison High School girls soccer team found itself in a double-overtime game for the second time in as many games. Just like in its first contest of the season, the team finished the game with a draw.

The Dodgers tied Parsippany 1-1 at Parsippany High School on Tuesday afternoon.

This game, a very physical contest, had its ups and downs for the Dodgers as Madison came out of the gates fast, controlling the tempo and showing great composure.

In the first half, Madison allowed Parsippany very few scoring opportunities while capitalizing on one of its own, as Madison striker Catherine Zimmerman scored midway through the half on a right-footed shot from the top of the box.

"At first I thought I was going to get called for a foul, but I guess I used my body the right way," Zimmerman said. "The goalie just left a wide-open spot on the right side of the goal, and I put a half volley into the net."

In the second half, with Madison leading 1-0, and the game getting very physical, Madison seemed to lose its ability to control the ball, briefly succumbing to Parsippany's physical style of play.

"Ball retention is difficult," Madison head coach Kevin Lynott said. "When you're always under pressure and when you're struggling, we have a tendency to give the ball away. When you're under the most pressure, that's the time that you have to keep the ball."

And with the Dodgers seemingly unable to connect on passes, the Red Hawks took advantage quickly as a Madison kick out of bounds led to a Parsippany corner kick.

Parsippany's Mackenzie Bartley was able to beat Madison goaltender Megan Calcaterra off the corner, tying the contest at 1-1.

"I thought it was a pretty physical game," Lynott said. "I was disappointed in the second half because we let them get ahead right at the start, but I really think we dug deep. It was getting a little feisty in there so we had to match them physically and be just as aggressive as them."

Late in the second half, Madison turned it back on, matching Parsippany's physicality and opening up a number of scoring opportunities.

"It was getting to be a really aggressive game," Madison senior Samantha Cicconi said. "Everyone was getting a little out of control. But we stayed calm and settled down and we did the best we could to try and score."

Madison continued to look strong in both overtime periods, dominating time of possession and pressuring the Parsippany defense a number of times. The girls also started to give back some of the aggressiveness that they had been dealing with all game.

"I think we did pretty well, especially towards the end," Zimmerman said. "We didn't let it get too out of control. There were a few cheap fouls, but we handled it well."

With minutes remaining in the second overtime period, Zimmerman found herself at the top of the box once again, with an opportunity to challenge the goalkeeper. But after a terrific play by the Parsippany defender, stripping Zimmerman of possession, the officials blew the final whistle ending the game in a 1-1 draw.

"One of the things I tell the girls is, first and foremost, you've got to compete," Lynott said. "If you don't compete, then teams can dominate you. We stood up to the challenge and weathered the storm in the second half, and to be honest, I think we looked strong in overtime."

"But coming off a double overtime tie on Saturday, the girls really showed great character, guts and determination," Lynott said. "If they continue to show that, then results will come."

Madison will head to Pequannock to face the Golden Panthers on Thursday at 4 p.m.