The ‘Cats rebounded from a tough road trip to Boston College with a big divisional overtime win over Seton Hall Wednesday at the West Campus Soccer Complex.

Lindsey Finnegan tallied the game winner 51 seconds into the extra frame off a pass from Laura Johnson and gave the ‘Cats the 1-0 victory, improving their record to 8-1 on the season.

“We were attacking and Janessa [Jeltema] laid the ball off to me and I had the opportunity to shoot,” Johnson said.

“I saw the back post open and me and Lindsey always seem to know where each other are and I just shoot the ball for the back post and she made a great inside run.”

Finnegan echoed the paraise of her teammate. “Laura Johnson gave me a great pass and I was able to beat my defender,” Finnegan said. “I was lucky enough to get a piece of it and it caromed off my foot and in.”

The win was huge for ‘Nova as they battled Seton Hall tough for two halves. The Pirates came out firing early in the first half and put the pressure on the ‘Cats as goalie Chrissy Dolan tried all she could do just to keep the ball out of the net. However, ‘Nova quickly rejuvenated itself and started to put the pressure on Seton Hall.

A couple of good rushes by the ‘Cats at the end of the first half placed them in the driver’s seat outshooting the Pirates 8-5, but to no avail, as the score remained tied at zero.

The ‘Cats first half momentum carried right through into the second half and once again the defense and the offense rose to the occasion.

The offense applied constant pressure with 14 shots and numerous scoring chances, while the defense, led by Michelle Biel, snuffed out any scoring chances for the Pirates.

However, the solid play by Pirates goalie Buffy Wojiciehowski kept ‘Nova quiet in goal.

Then the break came as the ‘Cats controlled the ball from the beginning of overtime and Johnson was able to find Finnegan for the game winner.

Dolan and Biel once again sparked the sensational play of the ‘Cats with strong defensive play, as Dolan recorded her six shutout in nine games and Biel held the Pirates under 10 shots in 70 minutes of play.

“This team is led by junior Michelle Biel and senior Chrissy Dolan,” Finnegan said. “Their play kept the game scoreless and allowed me the opportunity to score the game winner.”

This was not only a Big East win, but also a divisional win for the ‘Cats, in the tougher of the two Big East divisions.

“It was a huge win, especially coming off our road trip to Boston, playing up there [Boston] is always hard,” Johnson said. “This game was our first Big East divisional play and the three points will go a long way especially when you’re playing in the same division as teams like No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 5 Rutgers.”

The ‘Cats will travel to Annapolis, Md. this weekend to take part in the U.S. Naval Academy tournament.

The ‘Cats will travel to Annapolis to face off against Colgate today and then they will take on North Carolina on Sunday.