The Belles finished their third consecutive double-overtime game this Tuesday, coming back from behind twice to tie Albion in a 2-2 deadlock in Albion, Mich.
Since the Belles (2-4-3, 0-2-3 MIAA) joined the MIAA conference in 1997, it is the first time they have played three consecutive overtime conference games.
Albion (2-6-1, 0-5-1 MIAA) advanced first, scoring on a free kick to lead 1-0 just 15:02 into the game. Albion senior midfielder LinsdeyLubanski was the player that put Albion in the lead.
Only four minutes later Belles sophomore midfielder Maggie McLaughlin chipped in a goal off an assist from senior forward Jordan Diffenderfer. McLaughlin's equalizer was her second goal of the season.
Albion quickly retaliated and regained the lead just 22 seconds later, when freshman forward DomeniqueSarnecky shot from twenty-five yards out off an assist from freshman midfielder Lauren Cross.
The game stayed 2-1 in the favor of Albion until late in the first half, when the Belles scored the final goal of the game. Belles junior defender Kerry Green scored a header off a corner kick by senior midfielder Mollie Valencia.
The scoring subsided in the second half, as both teams held each other scoreless and then game then advanced to overtime. Both desperate for points, the Belles and Albion fought to get shots off on goal. Regardless of their efforts, no goals were scored and the game remained tied at 2-2.
The Belles out-shot Albion 10-5 in the first half and 5-0 in the second half. Neither team managed a shot in the first time period, and the Britons managed the only shot of goal in extra time in the second overtime period.
Belles junior goalkeeper Natalie Warner gathered three saves and allowed just the two goals in 45 minutes of play before junior goalie Chanler Rosenbaum came on in relief at halftime.
Rosenbaum, Saint Mary's Athlete of the Week and MIAA Defensive Player of the Week, picked up a save in the final 65 minutes of the game. Last week, Rosenbaum allowed just one goal in 220 minutes of play and faced 21 shots with a career-high of 13 saves.
The Belles will host MIAA opponent Olivet at home Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12 p.m.
