Contact: Adam Poklop, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Box Score

WAUKESHA, Wis. (Oct. 6, 2018) - Determined to bounce back from a tough string of losses, the North Central women's soccer team beat Carroll University 2-1 in an overtime thriller to claim their first conference win of the season.

The Pioneers struck early when Delaney Pruitt converted a penalty kick that gave the hosts a 1-0 lead just 66 seconds into play. Although neither team scored for the remainder of the half, Carroll owned a clear advantage in shots, outshooting the Cardinals 4-1, all of which were on net.

North Central emerged from halftime with a sense of urgency that produced considerably more offensive opportunities. In the 52nd minute, the Cardinals narrowly missed a chance to tie the game when Lexi Dimovski's shot hit off the crossbar. In the 70th minute the Cardinals did the tie game, although in an unexpected manner: a Pioneer defender inadvertently scored on her own net during a scrum in the box. With neither team able to break the 1-1 deadlock during the following 20 minutes, the game headed to overtime — a first for the Cardinals in their 2018 campaign. 

In the 98th minute, Lexi Dimovski headed a pass from Sara Sheridan past Carroll goalkeeper Christina O'Block to win the game, snapping the Cardinals six-game losing streak in dramatic fashion and sending the team into a frenzy. 

"Tonight was an exciting game to be a part of! The team showed amazing character and played a complete game. Lexi Dimovski and Allyson Viederis took a heavy load today and pushed the entire group. If we see the same energy moving forward we will be in the remaining games," said head coach Andrew Gamarra after the game.

After surrendering an early goal, Gretchen Frantz stopped all six of Carroll's subsequent shots on goal. Lexi Dimvoski tallied five shots, four of which were on net. The junior's goal marked her fourth of the season.

North Central (5-7, 1-2 CCIW) looks to build off the momentum from their win when they travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin on October 10 to face Carthage College (6-4-2, 0-1-1 CCIW). Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.