BOX SCORE SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana fought windy conditions and a tough Bemidji State team, but pulled out a 2-1 win in overtime on Saturday. The Vikings remained unbeaten in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with the victory and moved their record to 6-1 (4-0 NSIC). The Beavers' loss dropped them to 5-2 (2-2 NSIC) on the year.
The first half of play was a defensive battle as neither team was able to create many scoring opportunities for themselves. Augustana took 11 shots in the first half, while Bemidji State was held to only four shots.
In the second half things began to get interesting, with Sarah Stram giving the Beavers a 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute of regulation on an unassisted goal. Stram, notching her fourth goal of the season on the play, dribbled past the Vikings' defense to the right side of the field and scored inside the left post.
Not to be thrown off their game, Augustana showed the resiliency that has allowed them to pull off several late-game heroics this year, first with a
Maren Werth goal in the 77th minute of the match. Werth, with her team-leading sixth goal of the season on the play, took a
Taylor Brownrigg corner kick and headed it past the keeper to tie the game at 1-1. For the Bloomington, Minn. native, the goal marks the fifth game out of seven played this year that she has recorded a goal in. Brownrigg got her fourth assist of the year on the play.
Both teams were unable to score in the final 13 minutes of the second half, leading to overtime between the two squads. Bemidji State outshot the Vikings nine to eight in the second half.
With just 52 seconds remaining in overtime,
Stephanie Stevens delivered her second game-winning goal in as many weeks, effectively sealing the win for Augustana. Stevens took a pass from
Katie Hurd, dribbled it up the middle of the field, and struck it into the lower-left side of the goal from seven yards out.
The win moves the Vikings winning-streak to six - the longest winning streak in team history - and continues to build on what has been the best start in team history.
The Vikings put up 26 shots in the contest. Werth led the way five shots, Hurd had four, and
Kara Bartels,
Payton Pry, and
Stephanie Stevens each had three. Hurd's assist to Stevens late in the game was the senior's fourth of the year.
Augustana takes to the field again on Sunday against Minnesota, Crookston (2-4-1, 0-3-1 NSIC). The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at Morstad Field.
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