Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho – The Crusaders turned in a winning effort only to get handed a heartbreaking defeat.

The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team rallied from an early deficit and took 10-time NCAA National Tournament qualifier Regis (Colo.) to overtime before the Rangers claimed the season opener for both teams, 3-2, Friday night at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus.

"I'm really proud of our overall effort today," said NNU head women's soccer coach Mary Trigg.

"It's always disappointing to lose like that, but we showed so much promise for the future."

NNU (0-1) battled back after seeing the Rangers (1-0) scored twice in 51 seconds, the first goal by Alexa Lonsdale before a penalty-kick score by Sid Otto made it 2-0 with 11:59 gone.

Undaunted against a tough foe, the Crusaders began their comeback in the 40^th minute when Kayla Williams sent a long, bouncing ball forward for teammate Lexi Fesenbek.
 

Fesenbek, who last season set a school record with 12 assists, chased down the bouncing ball as it hopped over Regis goalkeeper Kat Crump and headed it into a wide open net, getting the Crusaders back into the ballgame.

Just 2:15 later, Laura Seymour evened the score when Crump tried to smother a long ball forward from Rachel Ball into the goal box, but it squirted free and the Crusaders midfielder took advantage, booting the loose ball into the Rangers' net.

From there, both teams traded chances in a windy second half that saw a 10-minute delay caused by gusts of 40 miles per hour.

Weathering the weather and the Rangers, the game came down to a huge save in the final 23 seconds of regulation when Otto was fouled in the NNU goal box.

NNU goalie Daniele Ortiz dove to block a penalty-kick chance by Maggie Saras, sending the game into overtime.

Both teams had chances in the extra session, but the final blow came with 1:32 remaining in the first overtime when Danielle Dageenakis touched a pass out on the left to Mickie Piechowski.

Piechowski was able to run in behind the NNU defense and put a shot just inside the left goal-post, sending the Crusaders to a disheartening defeat.

"Our girls battled back and scored two goals against a top team," said Trigg, adding, "the overtime period could have gone either way."

Ortiz made nine saves in goal in the contest for the Crusaders, who look to bounce back quickly as they host San Francisco State on Monday at 1:30 p.m.