The MNU women's soccer team hosted Mount Mercy in the second game of the Pioneer Classic on Saturday. The Pioneers were coming off their first win of the season and did not miss a beat. Junior
Ashton Bergh scored her first goal of the season in the 8th minute of the game. Kate Williams found space in the midfield and played a brilliant through ball to Ashton who was able to finish it in the right corner. "It was a great start to the game," said Coach Orton. "We came out firing and played well.” In the 24th minute
Whitney Peavler scored to push the score to 2-0.
Courtney Wiggins had the assist. Orton said, "It was an amazing first 25 minutes. It was some of the best soccer I have seen us play yet."
Four minutes later, Mount Mercy scored to make the game 2-1. "We had a major let down after we went up 2-0," said Orton. "Sometimes teams just need a wakeup call and that's what we got.” Mount Mercy made it a game in the 59th minute by scoring their second of the game to tie the score at 2.
The Pioneers pressed after MMU tied the game. MNU outshot MMU 32-9 in the contest and really applied the pressure in the last 30 minutes with a total of 18 shots in the second half. But MNU was not able to get the 3rd goal in regulation. As the teams went into overtime MNU kept pressing. Coach Orton said, "We were attaching and playing really well in the last 30 minutes of the game and OT. We hit the crossbar and were very unlucky not to have the game winner several times. The fight in each of the players was amazing!”
Finally in the 108th minute of the second OT,
Courtney Wiggins found the ball at her feet off a rebound shot and the Freshman slotted in the ball in the back of the net to give MNU the win. Coach Orton commented, "What an amazing win today. The girls dominated the last 50 minutes and really deserved the win. The heart and passion today was incredible.” The win puts MNU at 2-2-1 on the season with their second win in a row. MNU's next game will be away to Bellevue University in Omaha, NE. Game time is set for 3:00.
