HIRAM, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University sophomore defender Morgan Gray (Dublin/Scioto) scored the golden goal in double overtime to complete the Yellow Jackets' 5-4 comeback win over Hiram College at the Hiram Soccer Complex.
An early miscue on defense led to the Terriers (0-7) first goal just 47 seconds into the game. Hiram's second look on goal was saved by junior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference goalkeeper Sophia Weidner (Medina) but the next two put the Terriers up 3-0 in less than 15 total minutes of play. After a couple of substitutions, BW (5-1-1) finally settled down and took its shot on offense.
The Yellow Jackets were able to get on the scoreboard in the 19th minute thanks to freshman forward Michelina Rush (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin). Rush received a cross from senior three-time All-OAC and Academic All-OAC forward Rachel Bender (Massillon/Jackson) and punched it into the net as the two connected for the second time in as many games. Meanwhile, Weidner kept the Terriers at bay with three additional saves in the first half.
Needing to make some adjustments on both sides of the ball, BW opened up the second half with some explosive offense. Gray netted her first collegiate goal, making the score 3-2 in the 48th minute, but Hiram answered just seven minutes later to take a 4-2 lead. Two goals, including a penalty kick, from sophomore midfielder Kayla Webb (Brunswick) in the span of two minutes tied the game at 4-4. With 30 minutes still left on the clock, the Yellow Jackets had to fight for extra time, however, as the Terriers continued to be the aggressors. Hiram consistently pushed the ball deep into the offensive third and tested the BW back line of senior Bri Osborne (Cincinnati/Batavia), junior Kenna Poptic (Dublin/Scioto), freshman Aundrea Scattino (Niles/McKinley) and Gray. All four were up to the pressure, sending the game into overtime.
The Terriers had an opportunity to net the golden goal themselves, taking the only two shots in the first overtime period and forcing Weidner to make her final save of the game. Instead, BW came out on top in the second OT when Poptic sent a corner kick to Gray, who headed the ball deep into the left corner of the net to seal the come-from-behind victory.
In the net, Weidner picked up her second win after recording a season-high seven saves in 108:25 minutes. Most offensive categories were fairly even between both teams as BW held slight advantages in shots (15-11) and corner kicks (9-7) while the Terriers led in shots on goal (11-9).
BW will host Waynesburg (Pa.) University on Saturday, Sept. 22, for a men's and women's doubleheader on Tressel Field inside George Finnie Stadium. The women will kick at 1 p.m. followed by the men at approximately 3:30 p.m.
