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Box Score 2 CHARLESTON, Ill. – Despite rallying late to force overtime, the Belmont women's soccer team (7-8-2, 3-4-2 OVC) fell just short of picking up a win in its final road contest of the regular season on Friday afternoon at Eastern Illinois (6-12-1, 4-5-1 OVC). The Bruins were held off in overtime, falling 2-1, and slipping to 3-4-2 in OVC play.
The first stanza saw the Panthers immediately begin attacking the goal, putting junior netminder Nicole Berner (Randolph, N.J.) to work early. However, she made quick work of the EIU attempts and tallied a trio of saves in the opening minutes. The teams settled into a back and forth battle through much of the remainder of the half. Finally, Eastern Illinois was able to get on the scoreboard first, finding the back of the net in the 39th minute. Down but not out, the Bruins remained aggressive in the hunt for the equalizer in the waning minutes but were unable to score.
After the break, Eastern Illinois maintained its aggressive tempo but could not get past the Bruin defensive line and Berner, who combined for two saves and two blocks in the first 10 minutes. The teams settled back into their back and forth rhythm midway through the half. Around the 60th minute, BU brought fresh legs onto the field and shifted the momentum in its favor. Senior Brandi Phillips (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) fired a shot in the 70th minute that seemed to open the door for freshman Cassie Blasé (Waukesha, Wisc.) to tally the equalizer, her first goal of the season, three and a half minutes later. EIU intensified its efforts in the waning minutes in hopes of avoiding overtime. However, Berner was able to notch a crucial save in the final 50 seconds of regulation to help the Bruins force the extra period.
Unfortunately, barely before the extra time started, it was over. Just 57 seconds in, EIU used a throw-in deep in Belmont territory to position for what would become the game winner. Kristin Germann netted her second goal of the contest from five yards out to give Eastern Illinois the win.
EIU held the advantage in shots, 18-7, and corner kicks, 5-4.
Five Bruins – Sydney Scheben (Union, Ky.), Brandi Phillips (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Rachel Schmidt (Dallas, Texas), Taylor Smith (Atlanta, Ga.), and Blase – each logged one shot attempt and all but one of them was on goal.
Berner finished with eight saves on the day.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday at Rose Park for its regular season finale. The Bruins host SIU Edwardsville beginning at 2 p.m. Prior to kickoff, BU will honor its seniors – Laura Harris, Kailee Hawkins, Spencer Laufer, Lauren Paynter, Vanessa Pepin, Brandi Phillips, Jane Owen Robbins, Megan Rock, and Lauren Trappey.
