ANGOLA, Ind. -- The Trine University women's soccer team and opponent Olivet College needed more than 90 minutes to come to a decision on a misty foggy evening, but ultimately the Comets came out on top, 1-0.
The Thunder played top-notch defense for the entirety of the match, weathering a strong Olivet attack most of the night. The Comets came away with four more shots on goal than the Thunder but only one felt like a legitimate scoring chance, that being the eventual game-winner.
While Trine finished the contest with only two shots on goal of their own, their three best scoring chances came outside of those attempts. All three of the team's best chances were started by junior Morgan Sanderson (Leo / Leo) making her way behind the majority of the Comet defense with the ball.
The first two times she found herself with only the keeper between herself and the net. Both times the Comet keeper charged her and aggressively covered the ball before Sanderson could release a shot.
The final time Sanderson found herself behind the defense came with just a minute remaining in regulation. This time the final Olivet defender was a little too aggressive, giving the Thunder a free kick from just outside the box. Junior Marisa Robinett (Auburn / DeKalb) took the attempt with just 34 seconds remaining in regulation and sent the ball high. The second half would finish with both teams at nil.
Olivet's Emma Essen broke the stalemate in the fourth minute of overtime, receiving a pass inside the box and making two spectacular moves to get around two Thunder defenders before placing a shot on the opposite side of the net.
Freshman Ahdrin Bordner (Delaware, Ohio / Delaware Hayes) got her first start of the season and played well in net for the Thunder ending the game with five saves.
Trine falls to 3-9-1 overall and 0-3-1 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The team will travel to face Hope College on Wednesday, October 10 for a 6 p.m. match.