The host Lady Cougars (2-2) had several good chances to score early in the match as MVNU held a 10-5 advantage in total shots in the first half, but the match remained scoreless as neither team could find the back of the net.

The second half was a good back and forth affair with the Lady Cougars again holding a 5-4 advantage in total shots, but both defenses did a good job of preventing any further opportunities as both back lines proved to be up to the challenge. MVNU’s best chance in regulation came in the 85th minute when junior midfielder Jessica Estep beat her defender on the left side and slipped a nice pass in front of an empty net, but junior forward Jamie Blair was unable to get a clean shot off.

With the match scoreless after 90 minutes, it headed into a 10-minute overtime period. With 6:16 left in the extra session, sophomore forward Courtney Ricker slipped a pass to the right corner of the box to Linger (above), who ripped a shot over Brittney Gadd, the Patriots’ goalkeeper, and into the top part of the net to end the match and give the Lady Cougars the exciting 1-0 victory.

Junior goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen posted five saves for MVNU to notch her second straight shutout, while Gadd finished with four saves for the Cumberlands. The Lady Cougars outshot the Patriots 16-9 and held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.

"I was pleased with the team creating opportunities,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. "We couldn’t quite find the back of the net, but the girls just kept battling. Their fitness definitely showed that we were working hard and in good shape. I felt that headed into overtime we were in better shape fitness-wise than they were and it showed when we were able to get a goal in the first couple of minutes in overtime.”

"Jessica (Linger) had a whale of a game,” said Seiffert. "She was definitely one of the players of the match. She created all kinds of opportunities. For a freshman, to have your first goal be a game-winner in overtime is definitely very exciting. Courtney also did a nice job of setting up the play.”

"The midfield played strong and I was very impressed with our back line as they were able along with Jenessa in goal to keep the shutout,” Seiffert continued. "The back line did a great job of keeping composure especially with some very athletic forwards for (the Cumberlands). Angie (Misamore), Kelci (Rhodes), Denče (Stentz), and Mara (Hughes) did a great job of containing their speed.”

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday when the Lady Cougars will host Ursuline College in an American Mideast Conference match that will kick off at 5:00 p.m.

"We will look to build off this exciting win and try to continue our streak when Ursuline comes to town on Tuesday,” Seiffert said. "They are a good side and we will need to continue to play well.”