BLUFFTON, S.C. - The USCB women's soccer team pushed No. 4 Southeastern to the brink on Wednesday afternoon at Fin Land Field, but the Sand Shark fell in overtime, 3-2, despite a two-goal performance by Mari Kalvatn.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Kalvatn - two goals, three shots
Lexi Kaeser - two assists, two shots
Madeline Matusik and Marcela Shartouny - two shots and one shot on goal each
Alana Dame - 10 saves
HOW IT HAPPENED
Southeastern started the game quickly in the seventh minute when Naira Lopez nearly opened the scoring. She took a right-footed free kick 20 yards out, but fortunately for USCB, the ball struck the right post to preserve the 0-0 game.
USCB's first chance to net a goal came in the 19th minute when Matusik used her speed to get past the SEU backline. After gaining position on a Fire defender, she went one-on-one with the SEU goalkeeper. With the keeper pressing, Matusik ripped a shot, but the attempt was saved.Â
Southeastern continued to pepper the USCB net, but not many chances were stressful for Dame.
With three minutes left in the first half, Sydnee Metzold tried to put USCB on the scoreboard, as she connected with a shot on goal, but Holly Eddins made the save to keep it 0-0 at the halftime break.
Similar to USCB's last contest, the Sand Sharks broke the scoreless match early in the second half. This time Kalvatn scored the game's first goal in the 48th minute. Kaylee Kumar started the possession by working up field when she fed a ball to sophomore Kaeser. Kaeser then turned and saw Kalvatn behind the SEU backline, and without taking a touch, Kalvatn ripped a shot on goal. The shot was deflected by Eddins, but not far enough, as it found the left side of the net to give USCB the 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately three minutes later, SEU tied the game back up, 1-1, as Summer Rusher scored the tying goal. Victoria Moran struck a shot, and Dame made the save. However, the deflection didn't get out of harm's way, as Rusher came in for the rebound for the easy tap-in goal.
In the 52nd minute, USCB had another prime opportunity to score when Shartouny outhusted the SEU defense. The freshman went one-on-one with Eddins, but Eddins saved Shartouny's shot to keep it level at 1-1.
The nationally-ranked Fire squad again peppered the USCB net for the next 30 minutes, but no attempt found the back of the net until the 82nd minute. Jennifer Luna tallied the loose-ball goal, as she was able to put a foot on a ball bouncing around USCB's six-yard box. The goal gave SEU its first lead of the match, 2-1, but it didn't last long.
Just 21 seconds later, Kalvatn, who freshly reentered the match at that time, tied the game up again, 2-2. Kaeser again set up her teammate, as the Sand Shark duo worked one-touch passes to each other. The technique worked to perfection, as Kalvatn worked behind the Fire defense and slotted the ball into the lower-right corner of the goal.
Both teams had a chance to pull ahead late but couldn't record a goal, which forced overtime for the second consecutive match for both clubs.
Halfway through the 10-minute, golden-goal session, Southeastern claimed the victory when Mashell Rodriguez rippled the net in the 96th minute. Moran flicked a ball to Rodriquez and after three touches, Rodriguez posted a curling shot into the left side of the net to lift her team to the 3-2 victory.Â
POSTGAME INTERVIEW
TEAM RECORD UPDATES
USCB - 3-3 overall, 3-3 Sun Conference
No. 4 Southeastern - 9-0 overall, 7-0 Sun Conference
WHAT'S NEXT?
USCB will conclude the regular season with three straight conference road games. Kicking off that road stretch is a league bout with Webber International on Nov. 2 at Babson Park, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Warrior Grass Field.Â
