LACEY, Wash. – On a day where eight seniors were recognized for their efforts as part of the Saints' soccer program, the game defining moment came off of the foot a senior.
Gloria Petri, with only 41 seconds left on the clock, lofted a ball over the keeper and tied the match at 1-1 in the Saints' overtime draw with Western Oregon.
The Wolves punched in a goal in the 60th minute, and in the driving rain and cold temperatures, the Saints' offense looked stuck. With the final seconds ticking off the clock, Petri worked the ball down near side, and hit home her second goal of the season to force overtime.
Kylee Sarchett nearly sent the Saints' home as winners in the first overtime period, but Western Oregon managed to escape with a 1-1 tie.
In the opening half, the Saints' defense, anchored by senior goalkeeper
Ali Koehler, fought off nine shots by Western Oregon, including five on goal. The Saints' offense landed five shots, including on goal opportunities in the 6th and 23rd minute; however, Western Oregon managed to stop them and keep the score tied at 0-0 going into halftime.
In the second half, Western Oregon managed to get on the board first, finally managing to sneak a ball around Koehler. Scoring in the 60th minute was Amber Whitmore, who dribbled around a diving Koehler and scored from near to far post. The Saints kept the offensive pressure on the Wolves, but with the weather and time working against them, it looked like Western Oregon might be able to leave with three points. Down to their final chance, the senior Petri made the most of it. Her second of the season equalized the match and set it to overtime.
In the first overtime period, Sarchett had open far post, and in the middle of the box, it looked like she was about to score her second golden goal of the year. However, he header just went wide and the Wolves forced a second overtime. Western Oregon nearly netted their golden goal in the 106th minute, when a shot on goal was blocked by the Saints' backline. Neither team was able to find the right touch in the final minutes, and the match ended in a tie at 1-1.
