LEBANON, Ill. – The Missouri S&T women's soccer team was back in action Sunday afternoon for non-conference against the reigning GLVC champions and fourth-ranked team in the United Soccer Coaches Association preseason poll. The Miners (1-1-0) went down two goals in the early going, but managed to score twice in the second half to force overtime, but were downed in the extra period on a penalty kick as the Bearcats (1-0-1) picked up the win at Leemon Field by a final score of 3-2.
The Bearcats scored first in the 19th minute when free kick from about 30 yards out was headed in for the opening goal of the match.
McKendree scored again minutes later by way of another set piece, but this time of the corner kick variety after a scramble for possession from about 15 yards in front goal found the net to make it 2-0.
S&T pushed the pace as the second half began, narrowly missing on a rapid series of chances from inside 10 yards in the opening five minutes of play. Their aggressiveness would not go unrewarded, as following a foul,
Sydney Gratz (Geneva, IL/Geneva) converted a free kick from about 25 yards out to get S&T on the board with her first goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game.
As time began to wind down, S&T was in need of a goal to extend the game and managed to get what they needed in dramatic fashion. After a foul call near midfield,
Danielle Hopkins (Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley) played a free kick into the box, where a waiting
Paige VanDaele (Cottleville, MO/Francis Howell Central) collected the ball off a deflection and found the left side of the net to score the first goal of her collegiate career and tie things at 2-2 in the 87th minute.
With the score even at the end of regulation, extra time would be needed to determine a winner. McKendree brought pressure in overtime and most of the action was on the Miners' side of the field. The go-ahead goal came in the 94th minute for the Bearcats on a penalty kick following a red card on S&T's
Brittney Hahn (Madera, CA/Clovis West) for a handball to prevent the game-winner on a header off a cross into the box.
Up next for the Miners, they begin GLVC play next weekend with a contest on the road next Sunday September 12 against Quincy, with kickoff scheduled for 12 PM.
