Newberry, S.C. – After securing their first two victories of the season last week, Newberry women's soccer earned their third victory in a row with a double-overtime victory against Anderson University Wednesday night.
After the offense heated up with five goals scored last week, the Wolves looked to get off to a quick start once again with a shot on goal and a corner opportunity within the first minute of play. But the Trojans were able to survive this early aggression and slow the pace of play.
Both sides struggled to find scoring opportunities in the first half, with Anderson holding a 5-4 edge in shots but only putting one shot on goal. The Trojans had their best opportunity late in the half, when a blocked shot was deflected out to set up a pair of corner kicks, but Newberry's defense held strong and both teams went into the break scoreless.
The second half once again saw the Wolves on the attack early with a pair of quick corner opportunities. They continued to press the attack throughout the half, sending up 10 shots and forcing Anderson keeper Jeanette Campbell to make three more saves in regulation.
With both defenses locked in late in the half, neither side was able to generate clean looks at goal and the game headed to overtime. The first period was slow to start off as both teams struggled to make any headway. The stalemate was almost broken off a corner attempt in the 98
th minute, but forward
Ashlee Rotert's header went off the crossbar to end the threat.
As the game stretched on through dusk, the Wolves' determination would finally be rewarded in the second overtime.
In the 103
rd minute yet another corner kick was sent into the box and a flurry of shots descended on the goal. After the first three were deflected, freshman
Brianna Azar found herself in position to boot the ball into the upper-right corner of the goal.
With her first collegiate goal an overtime game-winner, Azar was mobbed by her teammates as the Wolves celebrated a hard-fought victory and their continuing rise in the conference standings.
Next up for Newberry is another SAC foe in Carson-Newman University, who come to town on Saturday, October 16 for a 6 p.m. match.
