ALVA, Okla. – A breakaway goal with just five seconds remaining in the second overtime broke a 2-2 deadlock as the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm handed Northwestern Oklahoma State women's soccer a 3-2 loss Saturday afternoon at the Alva Rec Complex.
Northwestern got off to a red-hot start and controlled the pace for most of the contest. Shelby Gibbs opened the scoring for the red-and-black a little over six minutes in when she drove home her first of the season after a pass from Alissa Carlson. SNU would go on to tie the game in the 21st minute but just 48 seconds later, Carlson gave the Rangers an advantage with a quick strike to make it 2-1 in favor of Northwestern.
Freshman netminder Reagan Allen was kept busy as Southern Nazarene fired 27 shots her way in her fifth start of 2018. The Noble, Oklahoma native made 10 saves and enjoyed some help from the crossbar on two separate occasions.
Defender Makayla Barrientos was ejected in the 77th minute when she received her second yellow card, forcing the Rangers to play the remaining 33 minutes of the game shorthanded. SNU's Karsyn Matthews capitalized, tying the game less than three minutes later.
Despite having only 10 players on the field, the Rangers gave themselves opportunities down the stretch, but couldn't solve Crimson Storm keeper Ashlynn Pritchett. With strong performances from both sides, it looked as though the match was headed for a draw until Matthews netted her second goal of the game as time was about to expire to hand the Lady Rangers a heartbreaking loss.
Northwestern tallied 18 shots including eight on net. In what turned out to be a physical affair, there were four yellow cards issued and 30 fouls.
The Rangers will have two days to prepare for a tough battle against Southwestern Oklahoma State as they're set to take on the Bulldogs in Weatherford Tuesday, October 9. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
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