ASTON, Pa.- The sixth-seeded Immaculata women's soccer team (5-8-2) travelled to the third-seeded Neumann Knights (8-8-1) on Monday night in the quarterfinals of the first-ever Atlantic East Conference Championships, and the Mighty Macs came away with a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory as sophomore Riley Rudd scored her second of two goals on the day to carry the Macs to the Atlantic East Semifinals on Wednesday at top-seeded Cabrini.
 
Rudd scored a goal to tie the game early in the second half and senior Carrie Quigley again tied it later in the second half as the Macs twice recovered from one-goal deficits.  Freshman goalie Brooke Shissler was outstanding with nine stops.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Mighty Macs had a pair of chances early, both off the foot of senior Morgan McDonough, but both of her attempts sailed high
-The Knights struck first in the 25^th minute on a free kick from the top of the box that was perfectly placed in the right side of the net
-The Macs had one last push before the half as Carrie Quigley took a shot from the left of the cage, but the keeper dove to stop it to send the game to the second half with Neumann up 1-0
-After half, Carly Quigley hit a free kick from just inside midfield that was hit around inside the box, and Rudd came to the far post and headed it into the back of the net to tie the game just five minutes into the second period
-Neumann did not leave it tied long as they went on the attack and took a 2-1 lead in the 58^th minute
-The Macs continued to pepper the net as Carly Quigley sent a free kick just wide and Carrie Quigley hit the crossbar
-Carrie Quigley finally tied it again as she hit a shot from 40 yards out that hit the crossbar on the right side and bounced down into the net to make it 2-2 with just over 15 minutes remaining
-The Macs nearly won it in regulation as McDonough got behind the defense, but the keeper got there just before she was able to get a good hit and the Macs and Knights were headed to overtime
-In the first extra session, Neumann outshot IU, 3-0, but the defense held and Shissler came up huge with a diving save to her right to keep it tied and send the game to the second overtime
-In the second session, the Mighty Macs controlled the pace and Rudd sent them to the Atlantic East Semifinals as she hit a shot from the left of the net from about 30 yards out and bent it in to the far post for the 3-2 victory
 
TEAM COMPARISON
-The game was very evenly played with Neumann logging 18 shots to 17 for the Macs
-Neumann had 11 shots on frame and the Macs had eight
-Neumann took nine corners and the Macs took five
 
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
-Goals: Rudd 2 (9), Carrie Quigley (4)
-Points: Rudd 4 (20), Carrie Quigley 2 (8)
-Shots: Carrie Quigley and Rudd each took five while Carly Quigley took four
-Saves: Shissler made nine saves in goal
 
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs will travel to top-seeded Cabrini on Wednesday for the Atlantic East Semifinals at 4 p.m.  Check back to www.gomightymacs.com for a preview.