MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- North Central University Women's Soccer lost a heartbreaker to Northland College, 2-1 in overtime on Saturday afternoon. After playing a player down for the final 39 minutes the Rams found an equalizing goal to put the match into overtime. But a Lumberjills goal with just 80 seconds left in the first overtime kept NCU in search of their first conference win.
North Central found themselves in a 0-0 tie at the halftime break but just over six minutes into the second half the Rams were handicapped by a red card ejection for junior Marissa Dean (Lakeville, Minn./Lakevill North). Northland would eventually forge ahead 1-0 with a goal in the 69th minute.
That goal would look to be the game winner but senior forward Christina Goodman (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) found an equalizing strike in the 89th minute on an assist from freshman Karlee Hoover (Estero, Fla./Estero). The final 80 seconds of regulation would wind down to force an overtime period.
It looked like things might be headed for an additional overtime period but Northland found a game winning tally in the middle of the 98th minute to take the victory.
Senior goalkeeper Noelle Stordock (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) recorded nine saves in the loss.
The goal was a team leading number five on the year for Christina Goodman. Karlee Hoover moved to seven assists and 11 points which are each the best marks for NCU in those categories.
The Rams will be back in action with a pair of home conference matches this weekend at Coon Rapids Soccer Complex. Friday NCU will host Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) at 3:30 p.m. before hosting Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
