The first half was a back and forth battle waged mainly in the midfield as neither team was really able to generate many serious scoring opportunities. The visiting Lady Panthers (3-2-2) held a slight 5-4 edge in total shots in the first 45 minutes and both teams were limited to one shot on goal apiece.

The intensity continued in the second half and with it a few scoring chances. Less than four and a half minutes into the second half, sophomore defender Kelci Rhodes played a long ball to junior midfielder Jessica Estep (left). Estep headed the ball a couple of times and then went straight to goal and found the back of the net to put the Lady Cougars (3-3-1) in front 1-0. The goal was Estep’s team-leading third of the season and the 45th of her career.

The score remained that way until the 72nd minute when a momentary breakdown in the back line allowed Marisa Garverick-Herrera to find Kirsten Hoy with a pass into the left side of the box. Hoy finished off the play with a goal to knot the score at 1-1.

Both teams would have chances the rest of the way in regulation and the two 10-minute overtime periods, but the match would end with the 1-1 deadlock. The Lady Cougars’ best opportunity came on a header in overtime by senior defender Mara Hughes that was stopped right on the goal line. Ohio Dominican finished with a 16-11 advantage in total shots, a 5-3 edge in shots on goal, and a 6-3 margin in corner kicks. MVNU goalie Jenessa Loewen posted four saves, while Aimee Simonet stopped two shots for the Lady Panthers.

“I could not be more proud of our team than I am right now,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. “They gave every single ounce of effort in today’s match. We showed that we have good fitness to be able to go 110 minutes in this very tough match against a very good opponent. The team came ready to play and really wanted to do well in this match with it being against (former MVNU coach) Jonathan (Meade) and after losing to Ohio Dominican twice last year.”

“Angie (Misamore) did a great job of marking their leading scorer, and our back line was very solid in limiting the opportunities,” Seiffert added. “This was a very even match and we played very aggressively and with a lot of tenacity and did not give up. Jessica’s goal was a great one as she juggled the ball like a seal on her head and then got a great shot off. Jessica (Linger) had a great opportunity and Mara had a great header in overtime. I felt that we really moved the ball better than they did.”

“Rachel (Elder) did a good job of coming in and playing for Heidi (Moeckel), who was doing well herself when she got injured,” Seiffert continued. “Everyone on the team gave tremendous effort and played with grit and determination and the players on the bench also contributed greatly with their support of their teammates throughout the entire match. The players were completely exhausted after the match and definitely left everything on the field today.”

MVNU will return to action on Saturday when the Lady Cougars travel to Walsh University for an American Mideast Conference match that will begin at 1:00 p.m.

“We still need to work on some things, but this match today should really be one for us to build on as we continue our season,” said Seiffert. “I think this match today could be a difference-maker as the season continues and as we look to get better day in and day out.”