Leon nets game-winner in 4-3 win at Bluffton

Written by student assistant coach Kori Ramirez, edited by SID Geoff Henson

BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Olivet College women's soccer team defeated the Bluffton (Ohio) University Beavers, 4-3 in overtime, in its last out of conference game and first road game of the season.

The Comets let an early Bluffton goal in after starting the game flat. The goal came from a shot off a corner which pinged in back post to put the Beavers up 1-0. Olivet answered the goal with a free kick off of a foul called at the 12-minute mark. Sophomore Emily Reinecke took the kick and hit one in the net to tie the game.

The Comets second goal came at the 27-minute mark with Bluffton scoring an own goal. After taking the lead, the Comets tried to maintain possession as best as possible and keep the ball in the Beavers' defensive third for the majority of the half.

With two minutes left to go in the half, sophomore Isabelle Leon went down in the box after a hard tackle and drew a penalty kick. Reinecke stepped to the line and hit her shot, with Bluffton's keeper coming up with a save but was not able to control the ball. Reinecke gathered the loose ball and buried it into the goal before the keeper could even return to her feet. This goal put the Comets ahead 3-1 at halftime.

Coming out for the second half, Olivet struggled to keep and maintain possession. Bluffton caught the Comets on their heels putting two shots away top corner to tie the game at 3-3. Most of the second half, Olivet was attacking Bluffton's backline, but could not find the net before the end of regulation.

The Comets came ready to finish the game in overtime. They found feet, looked for slots, and returned to the style of play they were pushing for. With 3:42 left in overtime, the pass was found to Leon and she put the ball away at bottom corner of the net to end the game on the golden goal.

Senior Deanna Zolnoski played the entire game in goal.

Olivet returns to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play Thursday afternoon at home against Alma College. Game time at the Cutler Athletic Complex is 4 p.m.

NOTES: With the win, the Comets have a 5-0 record. The last time Olivet started a season with five straight wins was in 1999. Leon has scored the game-winning goal in each of last four Comet victories.