MITCHELL, S.D. – In a thrilling one-goal affair, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team earned a 3-2 victory over conference foe College of Saint Mary from the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell, S.D. A header by Kamryn Harrop (Willard, Utah) in the 72nd minute proved to be the decisive goal for Dakota Wesleyan in its Great Plains Athletic Conference home opener.
The match opened with a barrage of shots by both teams, including multiple attempts on goal by DWU. Harrop and Alondra Partida (Salinas, Calif.) attempted shots in the ninth and 10th minutes, yet both strikes on goal were denied and the match remained scoreless in the early going.
Minutes later, College of Saint Mary found the back of the net in the 15th minute as CSM midfielder Abbey Wilson scored the first of her two goals in the match, granting the Flames (5-3-1, 3-1-0 GPAC) the initial 1-0 lead.
Despite the one-goal deficit, the Tiger (4-4-0, 1-2-0 GPAC) offensive attack continued to push the envelope, striking six shots over the ensuing 24 minutes of action. Senior forward Josephine Bardsley (Tea, S.D.) capitalized on one such shot, as she scored the first Dakota Wesleyan goal in the 39th minute. Partida, who finished with six shots and three assists in the match, provided the assist and the score sat tied at 1-1.
The Blue and Gray used a late corner kick in the 44th minute, though the attempt came up short and the match remained deadlocked 1-1 at halftime. Hannah Trumbull (Casper, Wyo.), who got the start at goalkeeper, finished with three saves while the Tiger offense registered 11 shots in the first period.
Wilson struck immediately with her second goal of the match minutes into the second period for College of Saint Mary and the Flames recaptured the 2-1 lead near the 50th minute.
Though, the Tiger offensive unit rebounded near the 60th minute following a blocked-shot attempt by Deandrea Johnson (Antioch, Calif.). Bardsley, who notched the multi-goal performance along with four shots on goal, scored the equalizer in the 59th minute off a second assist by Partida.
With the score balanced at 2-2 nearing the final 20 minutes of the contest, senior forward Harrop granted the Tigers their first lead of the day at 3-2 in the 71st minute. Partida executed a brilliant corner kick, connecting with Harrop for the decisive header and the momentum now hung in Dakota Wesleyan's favor.
With the late lead, the Dakota Wesleyan defensive unit answered the call and held College of Saint Mary scoreless for the 3-2 conference victory. Led by Partida and Bardsley who combined for 11 shots, the DWU offense registered 16 shots including 10 shots on goal. Meanwhile, Trumbull and Isabella Gregg (Moreno Valley, Calif.) came together for seven saves in the net versus nine shots on goal by CSM.
Head coach Clayson Glasgow and the Tigers continue their three-game home stand next versus GPAC foe Dordt University at 5 p.m. on Wednesday from the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell, S.D.