Belles Out-Duel Bulldogs in Double Overtime
Saint Mary's Stories
ADRIAN, Mich. - The Saint Mary's soccer team prevailed in a back-and-forth contest at Adrian as the Belles claimed a 3-2 double-overtime victory on Saturday afternoon.
The Belles got on the scoreboard early when Emily Rompola sent a high-arcing blast from 30 yards out over the Adrian goalkeeper and in for the Saint Mary's 1-0 lead just 5:37 into the contest. Maggie McLaughlin picked up an assist on Rompola's second goal of the season.
Twenty minutes later, Saint Mary's was whistled for a hand ball inside the 18-yard box to give the Bulldogs a penalty kick opportunity. Adrian's Sam Barker sent the PK just beyond the reach of Chanler Rosenbaum's diving effort to even the score at 1-1 in the 27th minute.
Saint Mary's broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 71st minute when Rosie Biehl's long-range effort from 27 yards out at the top-left side of the 18-yard box sailed over the goalkeeper.
The Belles appeared to be poised to take the 2-1 win in regulation until a foul was called against Saint Mary's inside the 18-yard box to give Adrian their second penalty kick of the contest. Barker's number was called again, and the senior converted the opportunity for a second time to knot the game at 2-2 with 11:13 remaining in regulation.
In the first extra period, the Belles out-shot the Bulldogs by a 3-1 margin with Saint Mary's one shot on goal being saved.
Determined to grind out the win, Saint Mary's ended the contest with the golden goal with 3:55 remaining in the second overtime period. Mollie Valencia found the ball at her feet with space in the center of Adrian's defensive end. The senior midfielder sent a shot from well outside of the 18-yard box toward the right post, where the attempt was blocked down and away from the face of the goal by Adrian's goalkeeper. The save was not covered up and fell directly toward Erin Mishu, whose lunging poke at the ball found the gap between the goalkeeper and the post for the game-winner.
The double-overtime win gives the Belles a 3-1-3 mark in their school record seven overtime contests on the year.
Biehl's goal was her team-leading sixth of the season, while the goals by Rompola and Mishu were each player's second of the year. McLaughlin and Valencia earned assists on the first and game-winning goals, respectively. Chanler Rosenbaum picked up the win in goal with seven saves.
The Belles (9-7-3, 7-5-3 MIAA) conclude their season on Monday as they host in-state MIAA rival Trine for a 3:00 p.m. game.