NEW LONDON, Conn. – Junior Alex Baltazar (Ludlow, Mass.) scored twice, which included netting a golden goal in the third minute of overtime, to propel the No. 14 Connecticut College women's team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Trinity on Wednesday afternoon at Freeman Field. With the victory, the Camels clinched the right to host a NESCAC quarterfinal match over the final weekend of October.

Baltazar put the hosts on the scoreboard in the early stages of the match at the 7:20 mark by finishing a cross from senior Michelle Medina (Hartford, Conn.). Even though the Camels continued to control play and apply pressure for the duration of the first half, Trinity nearly netted an equalizer before the break when Katie Marlow-Benedick got an open look on an unprotected Bryanna Montalvo (Rocky Hill, Conn.). The senior veteran, however, made a diving save on a ball that was headed to the far post to keep the Bantams off the board through the first 45 minutes of action.

In the second half, Trinity (6-6-2, NESCAC 4-4-1) eventually knotted the score when Rhone O'Hara converted a direct kick from more than 45 yards away. The sophomore defender sent a shot that sailed over the outstretched hands of Montalvo and just under the crossbar in the 54th minute of action.

Connecticut College (11-1-1, NESCAC 6-1-1) attempted to net the go-ahead goal in regulation by keeping the ball in its offensive third for most of the time remaining in the second half. Sophomore Sara Kogelmann (Slingerlands, N.Y.) most notably set up several scoring opportunities by sending numerous crosses into the box from all angles, which included a dangerous corner kick in the 64th minute that created a scrum inside the box, but nothing was able to get past Bantam netminder Taylor O'Connor.

The Camels, however, were able to earn the sudden victory by capitalizing on their first shot attempt in the extra session. Sophomore Zoe Stublarec (Rockfall, Conn.) sent a long pass down the right side which was received by Baltazar, and the junior fired the ball from a difficult angle near the endline and over the head of O'Connor to give the hosts the win.

Montalvo picked up the victory between the pipes by making two saves for Connecticut College, which outshot its opponent by a 13-4 margin in a physical match which featured 40 fouls called between the two sides. O'Connor of Trinity suffered the loss despite turning away six shots.

Connecticut College, which was ranked third in the first New England Regional Poll released by the NCAA earlier today, continues what will at least be a four-game homestand when it hosts Bowdoin on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. The Camels will also recognize their nine-member senior class for their contributions to the program prior to the contest.