Notables
-This is the third-consecutive time CSS and Northland have gone to double overtime
-CSS is winless in last three meetings with Northland after winning previous 35 meetings
-CSS outshot Northland 15-4 (9-2 in shots on goal)
-Voldberg of Northland recorded all four of her team's shots
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The College of St. Scholastica women's soccer team managed to stay unbeaten in conference play Tuesday afternoon at Saints Field against the Northland College LumberJills. However, it didn't secure the win either as they played through two overtimes and eventually drew even at 1-1.
The Action
The match started quite slow, with neither team managing to find a shot on goal for quite some time. Despite the Saints having two corner kicks within the first 11 minutes of the game, it was Northland who tallied the first shot on goal when Kaiya Voldberg sent one towards the net. It was saved by
Roni Rudolph (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS (Minnesota-Duluth)), however, and that would mark the first and last shot of the half for Northland.
Roughly five minutes after the Northland opportunity came another CSS opportunity as
Janelle Rouillard (Dayton, Minn./Rogers HS) trotted to the corner for her third corner kick of the first half. After a scramble in front of the net, it was
Taylor Olson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Denfeld HS) who beat the keeper to put the Saints in the lead. Olson's goal marked the second of the season for her, with Rouillard and
Becca Rancour (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson HS) picking up assists.
The Saints had plenty more opportunities to score in the first half, but were denied in their four corner attempts as well as a header from
Emily Olson (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) being stopped by Northland keeper Megan Jordan. The teams would head into the half with Olson's goal being the difference at 1-0 in favor of CSS.
The Saints kept the pressure on Northland right away to start the second half as
Lexie DeWall (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS (Morningside)) fired one at the keeper just 58 seconds after the starting whistle. Jordan, however, stopped yet another CSS shot and started to get a little help from her offensive players as Voldberg was able to create pressure herself by firing two shots at the Saints net, both missing wide.
The teams continued to exchange possession as the half continued, with St. Scholastica heavily dominating the time of possession and shot categories. With under eight minutes remaining in the match Voldberg finally got one past Rudolph, blasting one from 25 yards out and sneaking it in inside the far post to tie the score at 1-1. The Saints had one more chance two minutes later, but Rancour's shot towards the net was saved by Jordan.
The first overtime featured a heart-breaking moment for the Saints as they were inches away from ending the match. With two minutes having expired in extra time,
Kailee Katt (Esko, Minn./Esko HS (St. Catherine)) sent one towards the net, but ended up being slightly high as it ricocheted off the crossbar. Rancour and Olson would each fire a shot of their own in the overtime, but Jordan stayed solid in-between the posts to send it into a second overtime.
The Saints yet again couldn't scratch one across in the second overtime, with another Olson shot being saved and a last-second shot from Rancour flying over the net and hitting the field-goal post. Despite the Saints dominating both overtimes they were unable to net one to show for it, tying with Northland at a final score of 1-1.
Next Up
The Saints (2-3-2, 2-0-1 UMAC) will try to keep their unbeaten streak alive in conference play as they host the University of Minnesota Morris Cougars Saturday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. on Saints Field.
