MARS HILL, N.C. – Inga Woiwode scored her first goal of the season in the 98th minute in the first overtime period to complete one of the most incredible comebacks to be witnessed this season as Newberry rallied from a 2-0 deficit to top Mars Hill, 3-2.

Newberry (2-1-1, 1-0-0 South Atlantic Conference) recorded a win against the highest ranked opponent in the program’s history as Mars Hill (4-1-0, 0-1-0 SAC) was ranked sixth in the Southern Region. The Indians were forced to overcome all odds, including a tough home crowd, challenging playing conditions, and a two-goal deficit.

“Mars Hill is a very tough place to go play,” said Newberry head coach Juan Pablo Favero. “It is probably the worst field in the region and that team had a good reason of why they were ranked sixth in the region and were undefeated. It was a difficult match up for us. However, our girls showed so much character and perseverance in not giving up as they continued to fight. It is a success for us in not just winning the match, but to come back from down two goals in a SAC match with such adverse conditions, it’s a boost to our team and to our season.”

Newberry controlled the match for the first 10 minutes before Mars Hill showed why they were undefeated and seemed to control the game for the rest of the half. Alicia Blaha sent a through ball into the net for the Lions in the 31st minute to give Mars Hill the 1-0 advantage. Mars Hill outshot Newberry 9-4 in the half while Newberry recorded six fouls to the Lions’ three. All four of Mars Hill’s shots were on goal while only three of Newberry’s nine were shots on the net.

Mars Hill continuted to dominate early in the second half as Diedre Abouahmed kicked a corner kick curving toward the net anticipating an assist. However, the ball curved towards the goal and a screened Danielle Beckerle could not see the ball until it was too late and the Lions had a 2-0 lead in the 48th minute.

Newberry began to fight back after that goal. At 56:18 into the match, the Indians’ Katherine Prete received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct, but that card fueled Newberry’s fire as less than 30 seconds later, Newberry’s Elyse Clark put the Indians on the board off a Woiwode pass.

Attacking the Mars Hill defense yet again, Sarah Barnes threw the ball into play early into the 72nd minute from near the corner as Inga Woiwode took the ball from the left side of the net and sent it across to the right side to a wide open and waiting Mandi Butler, who put it in for the second Newberry goal of the night and the tie match.

Neither team was able to get on the board during regulation, sending the match into overtime, in front of a raucous crowd cheering for the Lions. Both teams had chances to score in the overtime period as Mars Hill quickly got two shots off. However, a Lion turnover gave the ball to Greta Hewett who took it from the outside of the box towards the right side of the field and sent it to the center to a waiting Clark. Clark immediately dished the ball to Woiwode a mere 10 yards away, who sent the ball sailing into the top left corner of the net, past a diving Lion goalkeeper as the Indians sealed the comeback victory, 3-2, in overtime and handing Mars Hill their first loss of the season.

Newberry returns to action Saturday as they host Georgia College & State University at 2 p.m. at the Newberry Soccer Complex.

                          Soccer Game Summary (Final)
                      2005 Newberry College Women's Soccer
         Newberry vs Mars Hill College (Sep 07, 2005 at Mars Hill, N.C.)

 Newberry (2-1-1, 1-0 SAC) vs. Mars Hill College (4-1, 0-1 SAC)
 Date: Sep 07, 2005  Attendance: 125
 Weather: Clear, 74 degrees

 Goals by period       1  2 OT  Tot
 ----------------------------------
 Newberry............  0  2  1 -  3
 Mars Hill College...  1  1  0 -  2
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  30:03 MHCW Alicia Blaha (Katie Powell) - Through ball
  2.  47:46 MHCW Diedre Abouahmed (unassisted) - Goal straight from corner kick
  3.  56:44 NEWW Elyse Clark (Inga Woiwode) - Cross
  4.  71:06 NEWW Mandi Butler (Sarah Barnes;Inga Woiwode) - Cross
  5.  97:33 NEWW Inga Woiwode (Greta Hewett;Elyse Clark) - Through ball

 Shots: Newberry 13, Mars Hill College 13
 Saves: Newberry 4 (Danielle Beckerle 4), Mars Hill College 5 (Claudia
 Cala 5)