Box Score Arlington, Va. – It took almost two entire overtime periods to determine a winner on Wednesday night, but unfortunately for Marymount University's women's soccer squad, it was Eastern Mennonite that struck the golden goal in the 107th minute. The Saints skid to 0-5-1 on the season with the heartbreaking loss.
Junior Erin Harris constructed the game's first tally, finding sophomore Chloe McAuliffe with a cross in the 19th minute. The short-range chip that it was, on the six-yard box perimeter, McAuliffe unorthodoxly hip-checked the ball just past Royal goalkeeper Becca Borg.
The 1-0 advantage would last the Saints well into the second half – that is, until the stars aligned for Eastern Mennonite. Morgan Hill's off-mark shot in the 74th minute turned into a goal for the Royals, as teammate Sara Shenk Moreno found herself serendipitously on its receiving end and in perfect position to tap it past Marymount netminder Holly Wenger.
The teams vied for the game-winner through the remaining regulation ticks, but goals proved more evasive late in that second half. Even through the opening overtime period, neither team found rhythm enough to split the pipes and end the lengthy duel.
It was late in the second overtime period that the Royals found a sense of urgency. With just over two minutes left in match, Hill lined up and blasted a free kick from just beyond the 35-yard mark, finding Nora Osei on the other end to knock in the golden goal.
Holly Wenger takes the tough decision, collecting five saves in the effort and dropping to 0-4 on the season.
Marymount returns to action next Wednesday as it travels to McDaniel for a nonconference tilt. Match time is slated for 4 p.m.
