MVNU (5-4-1, 3-2 AMC) came out and played hard from the start of the match as the Lady Cougars controlled the action for most of the first half despite only getting off one shot compared to six for the visiting Highlanders (8-1-2) as the contest went to the half still scoreless.

In the second half, Houghton had several chances to score as the Highlanders out-shot MVNU 12-3. However, junior goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen (left) came up with seven saves including one in the final five seconds of regulation to keep the match scoreless and send it to overtime.

The two teams battled through the first 10-minute overtime period with Houghton getting two shots and the Lady Cougars one. Both teams added two shots apiece in the second overtime period.

With time winding down in the second overtime period, the match appeared headed to being a draw. However, as the clock ticked under a minute, the Highlanders made the most of one final attack. Amy-Kaye Mitchell sent a through ball from the right corner across the goal mouth to Carolynn Tomlinson, who was unmarked on the far side. Tomlinson was able to tap a shot into the empty net with 52 seconds left to give Houghton the 1-0 victory.

The Highlanders held a 20-7 lead in total shots and an 11-5 edge in shots on goal with both teams finishing with two corner kicks each. Loewen finished with 10 saves for MVNU, while Alexa Thayer posted four saves for Houghton.

“Not a lot of words can express the feeling that you have after a tough loss like that,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. “Our girls put everything that they had on the line and gave it all that they had, but the ball just did not roll our way today. I thought we were very aggressive and won a majority of the 50-50 balls. We came out with a fury and played extremely well in the first half. After a little bit of a lull in the second half, we turned things up a notch again in overtime and created some opportunities.”

“Rachel (Elder) did a great job in the center midfield today along with Erin (Miller),” Seiffert added. “They really worked hard and did a phenomenal job of controlling the midfield. I also thought that Jessica (Linger) did a great job on the wing to create opportunities along with Jessica (Estep).”

“I was especially proud of the way that several of our players played through injuries,” Seiffert continued. “We had several players who were definitely not 100 percent, but they gave 110 percent effort today. For them to come out there and put everything on the line, it made me proud of them.”

The Lady Cougars will not have much time to rest as MVNU will be right back in action on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. against Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College in another AMC match. That match will also be Senior Day with four Lady Cougar seniors (Erin Miller, Mara Hughes, Nikki Bruscino, and Angie Misamore) being honored at halftime.

“This was a tough loss, but we will learn from it and go from here,” said Seiffert. “Houghton was the No. 1 team in the AMC and Roberts Wesleyan was No. 2. Tomorrow will be another battle. We continue to make progress and get better each time we step on the field. We want to peak in the postseason and we are well on our way to accomplishing that goal.”