Knights Stun NCU with Last Second Goal
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific scored with two seconds remaining in the first overtime to stun Northwest Christian in Cascade Conference women’s soccer action in Portland today.
Anna Blakeslee headed home the golden goal just before the buzzer sounded to give the Knights (4-2-1, 3-2 CCC) their third straight victory and second overtime win this week. The heart-breaking result for the visiting Beacons (1-11, 1-4 CCC) was particularly bitter, as they were the team on the front foot for much of the second half.
The first period was dominated by the hosts however, as WP earned five corner kicks and had six shots compared to none for Northwest Christian. The pressure forward paid off for the Knights in the 28th minute, as Blakeslee notched her first goal of the day after a nice through pass from Julie Schmitz.
The tide turned toward NCU after the break, as the Beacons generated a few chances and then equalized in the 85th minute. Karli Vath tapped in a crossing pass from Katelyn Partridge to tie the score and send the game to overtime.
NCU continued to send players forward in the extra time and forced Knight goalkeeper Nikita Rivera to make a game saving stop. As the clock ticked down under ten seconds, both teams looked resigned to another period before a WPC throw in deep in the corner. It wasn’t to be and Blakeslee made sure of it, heading in a goal after a pass into the box from Alison Romick and a flick from Schmitz.
Warner Pacific will resume CCC play on Monday, October 17 by hosting Corban. Northwest Christian will be at Concordia on the same day.