Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Belmont women's soccer team (2-5-2, 0-1-1 OVC) was able to bounce back from a disappointing start to open Ohio Valley Conference play by working hard for 110 minutes on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins ended the match at SIUE (6-2-3, 0-1-1 OVC) in a double overtime 1-1 tie to move to 0-1-1 in OVC standings.
SIUE opened the first half aggressively, recording three corner kicks and three offsides in the first 19 minutes. The Cougars then tallied three consecutive shots, putting senior Nicole Berner (Randolph, N.J.) to work with some great stops. The Bruins rallied back around the 30 minute mark with more fresh legs on the field and a shot by senior Amy Jo Anderson (Birmingham, Ala.). Finally, the teams began trading offensive maneuvers and shots but neither was able to break the 0-0 stalemate before heading to the locker room.
After the break, SIUE attempted another hot and heavy assault on the Bruin net but Berner continued to stay strong. Sophomore Cassie Blase (Waukesha, Wisc.) fired a shot that went just wide at the 57:07 mark, opening the door for Anderson to find the back of the net for the first time this season just 40 seconds later with the help of classmate Katie Proud (Knoxville, Tenn.). SIUE was able to answer back 10 minutes later with the equalizer courtesy of Tory Pitts. Both teams ramped up their intensity as regulation drew to a close but neither was able to find the back of the net again.
The first overtime saw SIUE return to its aggressive ways, firing three shots in the first two and a half minutes. In fact, the Bruins did not register a single shot in the opening overtime period but remained a stellar defensive unit to keep the Cougars off the board.
In the final overtime, BU turned up its intensity, opening with a corner kick barely one minute in. SIUE racked up five shots but the combination of Berner's quick hands and the all out defensive effort kept the game locked at 1-1. Belmont's final chance to score came in the 108th minute, courtesy of freshman Meg Howard (Brentwood, Tenn.) but her attempt sailed just wide of the net. SIUE attempted to put together something for the final 90 seconds on the clock but the Bruin defense held strong, pushing the game to a 1-1 decision.
"Both teams came into today's game with similar results with both having outshot their opponents but lost on Friday night," said Head Coach Heather Henson. "So it really became a game of which team wanted the win more.
"Both teams played every second of the game today. It was a good quality game and they all played so well. I am very proud of our effort to do that."
Anderson, Blase, and Howard each recorded two shots on the day.
Berner went the distance between the posts, snagging eight saves, just one shy of her season high.
Belmont returns to action at Rose Park on October 4. The Bruins host Murray State beginning at 5 p.m. The match can be seen live online via the OVC Digital Network and live stats will be available. A live Twitter feed (@BelmontWSoccer) will also be available.
