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Donnelly does it ... Timberlane wins with a minute left in 2nd OT

Saturday, August, 29 By Michael Muldoon
Staff writer

Junior Colleen Donnelly won’t soon forget her first goal.
It came with a minute left in the second overtime to give Timberlane a 1-0 season-opening girls soccer win over Dover Friday in Plaistow.
“It was just me vs. the goalie,” said the 5-foot-2 Donnelly, who was moved from midfield to forward this season. “I was just a little faster and beat her by one step. I’m excited to start the season right. Last year it was an overtime tie with them. This was a confidence booster.”
A season-opening confidence booster is always welcome when you are coming off a 3-12-1 season.
As the youngest of four, Donnelly prides herself on being tough. She noted on the play “there was a little jostling.”
Big Timberlane goals and big Timberlane wins are nothing knew for the Donnelly clan of Atkinson. Her brother, Cam, a three-sport captain last year, led the soccer team to its best season in 15 years and starred in the historic volleyball state final win over 10-time defending champ Salem.
“He was at the game,” said Colleen, who is ranked in the top 10 percent of her class. “He was excited for me, proud of me. He gave me a big high-5. He’s a person I look up to.”
She’s not lacking for role models. Her sister, Timberlane math teacher and lacrosse-volleyball coach Erin, was a multi-sport standout for the Owls as was sister Kaitlyn, a senior at UNH.
Donnelly summered at the Cape but it wasn’t all sun and fun as she prepared for a new position.
“I was always outside midfield,” said Donnelly, who was a reserve last year and a JV player as a freshman. “I’m finally a forward. It feels good. It feels like I put my work in.”
Donnelly got plenty of help. Sarah Barney won a ball at the midfield and then Emily Hammond picked up the assist.
Brooke Rooney stopped four shots to get the shutout. The Owls had the territorial advantage but Rooney made a key stop early in overtime.
Timberlane got stellar midfield play from Lily Ashford, Veronica Morrier and McLayne Manthorn.
Timberlane 1, Dover 0
Goals: Colleen Donnelly
Assists: Emily Hammond
Saves: T — Brooke Rooney 4; D — Audrey Muscato 12
Dover (0-1):     0 0 0 — 0
Timberlane (1-0):     0 0 1 — 1