Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Belmont women's soccer drew a double overtime stalemate against Southeast Missouri Sunday afternoon at Rose Park.
Both teams created ample opportunities to see the ball into the back of the net, but neither could seem to find a way to convert even with extra time provided. Belmont (4-6-4, 3-2-1 OVC) outshot SEMO (7-4-4, 1-2-3 OVC) 17 attempts to 12 in the defensive standstill.
The first half of action was fairly quiet as both the Bruins and Redhawks shared possession throughout the 45 minutes. Belmont got its best look in the 43rd minute when freshman midfielder MacKenzie Firek (Brentwood, Tenn.) launched a shot inside the 18-yard box that was blocked by a SEMO defender. Sophomore midfielder Jessi Boozer (Brentwood, Tenn.) caught the rebound and attempted to send another one in but this time Southeast Missouri's goalkeeper Kindra Lierz stood in the way of a potential goal to bring the first frame to an end all knotted up 0-0.
The Redhawks came of the locker room and took control of the match early in the second stanza, forcing senior goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) to collect her first save of the match. She would then turn around and make another crucial save on the next play on a gutsy play inside the box. With SEMO threatening Bukovec rushed her opponent and disrupted the path of the ball to force the ball handler to release a shot that would end up dribbling off frame, keeping the shutout intact.
In the 67th minute freshman forward Niki Clements (Perkasie, Pa.) threaded herself through multiple Redhawks down the sideline before releasing what looked to be a beautiful cross, but the ball nicked the crossbar to keep sophomore Karen Baker (Midland, Mich.) from tapping in her second goal of the weekend. Southeast Missouri then made their way into scoring position on the following play, sending a rocket towards goal and forcing Bukovec to make a diving save keeping the score, 0-0.
Junior forward Belicia Mendiola (McKinney, Texas) created a prime opportunity with seven minutes remaining in regulation on a free kick 25-yards out. She sent the ball blazing towards Lierz who had to leap and tap the ball over the frame ensuring that the match would be sent to extra periods.
Neither team could find any room to score in a pair of extra stanzas as the defensive bout withstood the whole 110 minutes, ending in a 0-0 draw. Bukovec collected five saves in her fourth consecutive shutout, bringing her scoreless total to 381 minutes. Lierz registered six saves in her outing for SEMO.
UP NEXT
Belmont will host Morehead State for senior day on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. inside E.S. Rose Park.
