The women’s soccer team defeated Clark University 2-1 in extra time at home Tuesday night to secure a home playoff game.

The win moves the Lions to 6-2-1 and third place in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference and 10-5-1 overall.

Junior forward Veronica Alberts scored the game-winning goal for the Lions in the 105th minute of double-overtime.

Clark led 1-0 at halftime following a goal by Bailey Glenn in the 11th minute, but senior forward Jess Frost scored for Emerson to tie the game in the 68th minute.

Frost said it felt great to help her team clinch home-field advantage for the playoffs. 

“I always love scoring in front of my parents,” Frost said. “If [the team] can pull together a full 90-minute game of effort and focus, we could be unstoppable.”

Head coach David Suvak said his team didn’t handle Clark’s early pressure well, but they improved as the game progressed.

“As the game evolved, we started to grow into our style of soccer,” Suvak said. “The last 25 minutes, they played extremely good soccer that was causing problems for Clark and creating a lot of opportunities.”

The Lions recorded six more shots than the Cougars in overtime. Emerson also totaled eight corner kicks to Clark’s one. Freshmen goalkeeper Sophia Giordano finished with three saves.

Heavy rain and lightning delayed the game’s start until 8 p.m.

“Maybe the players were a little thrown off by the hour, but I think it was an excellent game,” Suvak said.
Suvak said he would like the team to play the way they finished this game for a full 90 minutes moving forward.

“I think they could have a lot of success if they play our style of soccer, and I think that’s important,” Suvak said.

Emerson will compete next in the NEWMAC women’s soccer playoffs, which begin on Oct. 30.