HOUSTON – With 49 seconds left in the first overtime, the ball from a blocked shot found senior forward
Natalie Hager amid all the chaos in the box and she scored far-side, as the HBU women's soccer team snagged a huge conference win from visiting McNeese State, 2-1 in overtime, Sunday afternoon at Sorrels Field.
The overtime match was the fourth in fifth games for the Huskies and was the second golden-goal win in six tries (2-1-3).
Senior
Kelsey Missimer came off the bench to take a team-high three shots for HBU (3-6-3 overall, 2-1-2 SLC), as her only shot on goal was the equalizer late in regulation. Sophomores
Alessia Dal Monte and
Jia LeBlanc earned assists on HBU's goals. Hager and
Ellee Hall each had two shots on goal, as the former had both of her shots hit the target.
Patty Walrath improved her record to 3-5-2, as she made two saves in 99:11.
Gabi D'Alesandro took a match-high five shots for McNeese State (4-7-1 overall, 2-3-0 SLC), as she scored the Cowgirls' goal, assisted by Krista Steinbeiser. Steinbeiser and Tori Lasiter each took two shots.
Lauren Sestak dropped to 1-1-0 on the season, as she also made two saves in 99:11.
There was no scoring and no shots on goal in the first half, despite HBU having a few chances to take the lead. The Huskies' best opportunity came in the 24
th minute, when
Connor Ryder's shot hit the cross bar, the ball found Hall with Sestak out of position, but she sailed the ball high.
HBU outshot the Cowgirls, 8-3, in the first half, and took all three corner kick opportunities.
McNeese State drew first blood five minutes into the second half, as Steinbeiser sent a long pass up the field to D'Alesandro, who scored near-side for a 1-0 Cowgirls lead.
HBU continued to put pressure on the McNeese State defense and Sestak and the hard work finally paid off in the 69
th minute, as Missimer tied the match, assisted by LeBlanc.
Nobody could put her team ahead as the two teams entered overtime.
Lindsay Matlock came very close to ending things in the waning seconds of regulation, as her shot attempt at the 89:16-mark went just wide.
Late in overtime, following a McNeese State foul in its territory, the Huskies sent a free kick into the box. Pandemonium ensued and Dal Monte took a shot that was blocked by a Cowgirl defender, but the ball went right to Hager, who scored, lifting the Huskies to the win.
HBU outshot the Cowgirls, 17-11, in the match, while McNeese State had a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
HBU concludes its four-match home stand next Sunday, Oct. 12 against Incarnate Word. Kick-off is set for a 1 pm start at Sorrels Field.
