Crusaders Defense Not Enough in OT at Southwestern University

(Photo courtesy of Southwestern University)

GEORGETOWN, Texas – The University of Dallas women's soccer team went to overtime for the third straight Friday in October. Unlike the first two matches that ended in a tie, Dallas (3-9-3, 2-7-2 SCAC) allowed Southwestern University (10-5, 8-3) to slip a game-winning goal by at the 94:42 minute mark and finish off a 1-0 victory at Varsity Field.

Kierstyn Luckock earned the golden goal, as she beat UD's goalkeeper Olivia Severson (La Crosse, Wis.) on a ball out in the middle of the box. Mallory Harkins had sent a ball through that found Luckock's foot and the outstanding defense that the Crusaders had bolstered all night finally was toppled.

Facing the second-place team in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) and coming off a 3-0 setback less than a week prior; Dallas countered again with a stout defense that this time kept the Pirates scoreless in regulation. Severson managed 11 saves to tie a season-high from her road game at No. 15 (at the time) Trinity University (Oct. 14). The Crusaders also added three team saves, as it took a group effort to keep the visitors in a knotted match until overtime.

Like the first meeting last Sunday, both teams were tied at intermission. Southwestern attempted 11 shots compared to UD's three. The second half featured a more level attack, with the home side just taking three more attempts (10-7).

Elisa Duran (Pomona, Calif.) led the guests with three shots. Bekah Gonzalez (Reno, Nev.) and Monica O'Donnell (Lincoln, Neb.) added multiple shot attempts. Duran and O'Donnell had two shots on frame apiece.

In overtime, it was the Pirates that had the momentum to win with all three shots in that frame. Hanna Sanderson took the first shot in the period after regulation and hit the post. Another attempt by Sanderson at 93:40 was prevented from going in by the Crusaders back line. The next effort moments later by Luckock would not be turned away by UD, who dropped its first overtime match this campaign after the first trio resulting in a draw.

Mary Cardone grabbed seven saves in a clean sheet for the Pirates.

UP NEXT

Dallas concludes the regular season on Sunday at Texas Lutheran University. Kickoff is slated for around 2 p.m. These teams tied in Irving last Friday, 0-0.