Yellowjackets 2, Bethany Lutheran 1 (OT)
MANKATO, Minn.: It looks like there's something about the score 2-1. At least for the Yellowjacket women's soccer team.
Heading into Wednesday's action against Bethany Lutheran, the last two games the Yellowjackets played ended 2-1, and unfortunately it was the Yellowjackets drawing the short straw each time.
All that changed Wednesday.
Sarah Fjeran (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School) was the hero for the Yellowjackets, scoring 3:29 into overtime to help lift the Yellowjackets to their second win of the season, 2-1 over Bethany Lutheran before a crowd of 75 at Caswell North Stadium in Mankato, Minn.
Fjeran provided all the offense for the Yellowjackets, getting the scoring started by knocking home her second goal of the season in the 20
th minute to give the Yellowjackets the lead.
Liza Shelquist (Pine Island, Minn./Pine Island) was credited with the assist, giving the senior points in three of the last four matches.
It stayed that way until early in the second half when Bailey Bakken drew the Vikings even, converting just 6:16 into the second half.
From there the Vikings carried the play, before the Yellowjackets took the momentum back in the closing minutes of the second half. In fact, the Yellowjackets outshot the Vikings 5-1 in the final 20 minutes of the half but couldn't push ahead, meaning the teams were headed for overtime deadlocked at 1-1.
The Yellowjackets took control of the extra session from the outset, getting both shots on goal in the frame. The first came from
Annah Schussman (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji), who started the play that Fjeran ended with the game winning goal at 93:29 of the match.
Madison Gutekunst (Mound, Minn./Mound Westonka) earned her first collegiate victory Wednesday, making eight saves in the match to improve her record to 1-2 on the year. Gutekunst has now posted a save percentage of at least .889 in each of her last three outings.
Up Next: The Yellowjackets (2-5-1, 2-2-0 U.M.A.C.) will get another look at the Vikings when they travel to Superior for the second half of a home-and-home stretch. The teams will meet Saturday at the N.B.C. Spartan Sports Complex. The match will kick off at 3:00 p.m.
