FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's soccer team (9-4-1, 5-2-1 SAC) took a thrilling 3-2 win in a wild double-overtime game against Oklahoma City University (5-7-1, 3-4-1 SAC) on Senior Night at Martin Field.
The Rams, feeding off the energy of eight seniors who were playing their final regular season home game, put the Stars under pressure from the start. The Rams took the first six shots of the game and broke through in the 14th minute.
Sandy Villarreal played a ball to
Alexis Michaelkovich. Her shot hit the post, but
Lauren Kee was there to score the rebound.
A minute later, Kee missed a second goal by mere inches. Oklahoma City got on the board in the 39th minute when Vanessa Mendoza played ahead to Allison Worsham on a breakaway. Worsham crossed to Christy Tran who found the net.
Kaitlin Bush just missed a great look at the goal just before the half, but the game remained tied at 1-1 through the intermission.
In the 54th minute things got crazy. Michaelkovich found herself alone with OCU goalkeeper Ashley Bechtold. Bechtold took Michaelkovich down and was given a red card, putting the Stars down a player. However, the Rams missed the ensuing penalty kick, and the Stars scored just 2:42 later. The Lady Rams missed a clearance defensively and Britani Soesbee gave the Stars the lead and all the momentum in the contest.
The Lady Rams continued to plug away. Villarreal hit the crossbar in the 71st minute. Just when it appeared the Stars would weather the storm, Villarreal played a corner kick with two minutes remaining, and senior captain
Jordan Stellato netted her first career goal.
Shrareh Asadi nearly scored near the end of the first overtime period, but it was another senior,
Paige Wheaton, who finally scored the game-winner in the 102nd minute.
"We weren't sharp tonight," said head coach
Josh Gibbs, "but, the characteristic I like most about this group is their ability to find a way to win. That identity comes from our seniors. They seem to will the team to win. I'm so proud of this team and especially these seniors. They have left a mark on the program that will last forever. They have given me so much as a coach and a person. Words cannot describe my appreciation."
The Rams outshot the Stars 25-9 (10-4 on goal). Angela Clifton made five saves in relief of Bechtold.
Nikki Lockwood (9-4-1) made two saves in the win.
The Lady Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Waxahachie, TX, to take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University in their regular season finale. That game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
-
Alexis Michaelkovich,
Paige Wheaton,
Sandy Villarreal,
Katherine Bynum,
Brianna Wilson,
Allison Walsh,
Staci Popejoy, and
Jordan Stellato have compiled a record of 48-18-6 (.750) in the last four years. Their teams hold single season program records for wins, shutouts, winning streak, and unbeaten streak.
- Wilson, Walsh, Popejoy, and Stellato comprise a back line that has allowed a goals against average of 0.97 and just 4.6 shots on goal per game this season. In their career they have racked up 35 shutouts.
