Women’s soccer team suffers heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss to Hope

The Olivet College women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss to Hope College this afternoon in Olivet.

The Flying Dutch (8-6, 4-1 MIAA) scored the winning goal with 1:22 left in the overtime period. The Olivet defenders turned the ball over in the box, and Hope's Sarah Cochrane capitalized by scoring the game-winner.

Olivet (5-7-2, 0-4-1 MIAA) had a chance in each half and once in overtime to score goals. In the closing seconds of the first half, a free kick by junior Megan Reardon (Macomb/Chippewa Valley) clanged off the crossbar. With 25 minutes left in regulation, a shot by senior Shannah Fisher (Delton/Delton-Kellogg) also hit off the crossbar. Lastly, freshman Justine Nolen's (Fowlerville) shot in the first minute of overtime just went past the left post. The Hope keeper came up on the play to try to save the cross pass by Fisher.

Hope finished the game with a 29-9 edge in shots, and a 9-3 advantage in shots on-goal. Fisher and senior Natalie Lopez (Holland/West Ottawa) each took two shots. In goal, freshman Sarah Westen (Grand Ledge) played the entire game and made nine saves, including three in the overtime session.

The Comets will travel to play Tri-State (Ind.) University Saturday at noon. The Olivet men's soccer team will play the Thunder immediately after the women's game.