Box Score

KEARNEY, Neb. – Talk about justice being served.

No. 10 Fort Lewis College (5-1 overall, 1-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) ended an otherwise nightmarish road trip in cardiac fashion, tying the game with just 34 seconds remaining in regulation before beating upstart Nebraska-Kearney (4-2, 1-1) 2-1 in overtime in women's soccer action at Cope Stadium.

“It was absolutely bonkers,” said fourth year head coach Damian Clarke. “At the end of the day, you can't complain when the girls battled like they did. It's a testament to how tough this team is. We're not going to be easy to beat.

The first bad omen that the Skyhawks faced happened Thursday afternoon, as the trip was delayed by nearly four hours while the team scrambled to find a replacement bus driver. Then they suffered a 2-1 loss to an inspired and physical CSU-Pueblo team Friday. FLC's team dinner in Pueblo gave food poisoning to more than half of Clarke's travel roster. Then, en route to Kearney Saturday, the team bus broke down. FLC arrived at their hotel at 2 a.m., giving players just six or seven hours of sleep before today's pregame routine.

Despite being just a second-year program, Nebraska-Kearney proved its No. 6 Central Regional ranking is no fluke.

“Kearney is much improved, said Clarke. “They're a big, athletic team that's quite a bit different from last year. They're a good group.”

After FLC controlled play for most of the first 80 minutes, the Lopers struck first on a direct kick by freshman Raliegh Mercer from the right wing at 81:11.

“They scored a direct kick from outside the box that was a very, very good hit,” said Clarke. “Cricket [FLC goalkeeper Christine Schmelzle] got her hands on the ball, but couldn't hold onto it.

“We didn't put our heads down and we kept pushing,” he said. “We had two corner kicks in a row in the final minute and Erika Shisler hit the ball that Sara Egbom headed in with 34 seconds left.”

In overtime, the veteran Skyhawks dominated. First, Elena Benavides had a shot saved at 94:30. Then Shisler hit the post from the top of the box at 96:14. Two shots by Kortney Hull sailed high. Finally, a Shisler corner kick found the feet of Hayley Hollenga, who buried the point-blank chance at 98:58.

For Hollenga, a junior striker from Colorado Springs, the marker was her fourth game-winner and third golden goal of the season.

Fort Lewis outshot the Lopers 19-9 (9-2 in shots on goal). Marissa Niday turned in a strong performance between the pipes for UNK, making seven saves. Schmelzle made one save for FLC.

The Skyhawks hit the road mid-week for a 4 p.m. game at Mesa State (2-3-1, 0-2) Wednesday. Then FLC returns to Dirks Field as they host UC-Colorado Springs (3-2, 0-1) at 1 p.m. Friday and Adams State (2-4, 1-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday.