OLYMPIA, Wash. – After two quick goals from in-town rival The Evergreen State College, the Saints found their footing in the second half, send it to overtime, and sealing the 3-2 dramatic victory on a golden goal from Kylee Sarchett.
 
The Geoducks (1-4-0) struck fast and quick, notching goals in the sixth and 13th minute to take an early lead. After the initial stun, the Saints (4-1-0) found their offensive rhythm in the later part of the first half, and carried the momentum over to the second half. Sarchett sparked the offense with her first goal of the season in the 56th, and Shea McKnight netted the equalizer in the 69th minute. In overtime, Sara Christensen made a game-saving goal, and the Saints turned the tide and ended the match on Sarchett's second goal of the match in the 94th minute.
 
The Geoducks put the pressure on the Saints' right from the beginning, holding SMU's offense to only one shot in the first 20 minutes, and recording two goals. The first goal lofted just over the hands of the keeper Christensen for a top shelf goal. The second strike came after a collision in the box and the Geoducks found an open lane on the near post.
 
Momentum began to shift after the second goal, over to the Saints, as SMU picked up the offensive tempo and began pressuring the Geoducks' defense. The Saints connected on three shots before closing out the half.
 
In the second half, the Saints continued their offensive attack, recording 17 shots total in the half. The Saints managed to finally break through and get on the board in the 56th minute, when Sarchett, who was assisted by Kiersten Madsen, was able to get behind the defender and connect on a ball. The goal marked the first of the season for Sarchett. Little over 10 minutes later in the match, and a couple more shot attempts by the Saints, McKnight found herself with her third goal of the year and more importantly, and equalizer in the 69th minute.
 
Saint Martin's continued to look for the game-winner before overtime, but the Geoducks' defense managed to drain out the clock. In the overtime period, the Geoducks nearly managed to win the match; however, Christensen came up with her fourth save of the game on a ball 10 yards out. Christensen played the ball up the field and the Saints found a seam. On a ball from McKnight, Sarchett scored the golden goal, and her second goal of the match to win the first ever official meeting between the two local rivals.

"Today was a shear team battle," said head coach Heather Cato. "We came out flat to start the game and went down early, so we had to dig deep and believe in what we have started. The team added physicality, grit, and our identity to the game and things changed completely. I'm so proud of the unity and passion everyone showed tonight. It was a true team win because it took every single one of us believing we could to get that result."
 
McKnight led the team with five shots, finishing with a goal and an assist. Sarchett's two goals came on three shots, along with an assist. Gloria Petri, LeAnn Phanakhone and Madsen each added two shots of their own. Christensen faced 11 shots on the day, making four saves and allowing two goals.
 
The Saints wrap up the non-conference with a 4-1-0 record, the best record entering conference in program history. Saint Martin's, one of only two teams in the GNAC with four wins in non-conference, will square off against Northwest Nazarene, who sits atop the GNAC at 4-0-1 on Saturday in Nampa. The match is schedule to start at 12:30 p.m. with live stats and video available on smusaints.com.