Essen nets game-winner in 3-2 overtime victory at Saint Mary’s

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

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Freshman Emma Essen scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to lift the Olivet College women's soccer team past Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 3-2, today at the Junior Irish Soccer Club in South Bend, Indiana.

In the first half, the Belles out-shot the Comets and controlled the tempo of the game by keeping majority of the possession. Saint Mary's scored the first goal of the game in the 15th minute mark when Emily Rompola found Lindsay Rzepecki in front of the net.

Just three minutes and six seconds into the second half, the Comets earned a corner kick opportunity which got cleared to senior Jordyn Mackool who pinged the ball off the crossbar and into the goal to tie the game at 1-1.  Pushing for another goal, sophomores Isabelle Leon and Madeline Maxwell added shots to the mix but none found the back of the net.

In the 61st minute, a shot by senior Lauren Vanderhoff was stopped by the Saint Mary's goalkeeper. She was unable to control the ball, as Essen gathered the ball and sent a shot into the goal to put the Comets up 2-1.

Late in the second half, Saint Mary's dug in and pushed hard on net against Olivet. With a long ball in, Mackool went to clear the ball out when it hit the Belles' forward and over senior goalkeeper Deanna Zolnoski's fingertips to knot the score at 2-2 and send the game to overtime.

The first overtime period was a tight battle, as both teams had chances to score a goal. Two minutes into the second overtime period, Zolnoski punted the ball down the field and to the feet of Essen, who touched it past the Saint Mary's defense and slotted it left post past the goalkeeper.

Zolnoski played all 102 minutes and 18 seconds in goal for the Comets, recording five saves.

The Comets are off for a week and will be back in action next Saturday, Oct. 17, when they make the trip to play Alma College at noon.