Final Score: Lipscomb 2, Bellarmine 1
Location: Nashville, TN. (Lipscomb Soccer Complex)
Records: #3 Lipscomb: 12-3-4 (8-1-3 ASUN), #7 Bellarmine: 5-12-3 (4-7-1 ASUN)
Lipscomb fought hard for 107 minutes to earn the opportunity to advance to the ASUN Championship Semifinal. The Bisons topped the Bellarmine Knights 2-1 in a double overtime Sunday matinee.
Earlier this season, the Bisons and Knights tied 0-0 during the second match of ASUN regular season play. Lipscomb found several chances to score during their previous match against Bellarmine but walked away with a draw.
The Knights were the first to find a goal at the beginning of the 9' minute in the match. Bellarmine had a player record their first shot of the game just 3 seconds prior, which was blocked by a Lipscomb defender. The ball landed at the feet of a second Knight, who snaked through the defense and put the ball in the back of the net to go up on the Bisons.
The Bisons outshot the Knights in the first 45 minutes of play 7-4, despite not being able to find a goal. Entering the second half, Lipscomb played with a sense of controlled urgency with a chip on their shoulders.
In the 74' minute, Lipscomb's
Paige Archbold put the Bisons on the board off the throw-in from
Alivia Carapazza. Archbold's crucial goal was the second in her career and gave Lipscomb a fighting chance of survival.
By the end of regulation, the Knights and Bisons were knotted up at one goal each. Lipscomb recorded an astounding 15 shots to Bellarmine's one in the second half.
The first overtime period was neck-and-neck with neither team able to find a goal. Freshman goalkeeper
Kaïna Cesar was able to keep Lipscomb's dreams alive by preventing a big scoring opportunity for the Knights in the 100' minute.
During the second overtime period, both teams were eager to score.
Lucy Hurst threw the ball into
Kiara Pralle in the 107' minute, who was able to find
Hailey Johnson for a gritty shot. Johnson scored the goal to end Bellarmine's season and advance the Bisons to the ASUN Championship Semifinal match.
OB had a lot to say about today's match as the girls look forward to their next.
UP NEXT
The #3 Bisons will travel to Fort Myers, FL. to take on the #2 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears on Thursday. Nov. 7
th at 3:00 PM EST.