NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Saint Mary's soccer team needed little extra time to find a way to earn a 2-1 overtime win over host Manchester on Wednesday afternoon.

 

The host Spartans broke through in the fifth minute of play with a goal off of a corner kick. A dangerously-placed cross found its way into the six-yard box, and Manchester's Sydnee Jensen buried the chance for the quick 1-0 advantage. The Belles responded on their second strong scoring chance of the game. Jillian Bowen used her space along the right flank and played a pass in toward the top of the six-yard box. Emily Stross was making the far-post run, played the ball off of the bounce, and volleyed a shot back across toward the right post and in to equalize in the 13th minute.

 

Saint Mary's had several strong scoring chances through both the first half and the second half. In the 16th minute, Rose Stackhouse nearly gave the Belles the lead with a powerful shot from the top of the box only to have the effort punched away by the Spartans' goalkeeper. Less than a minute later, Megan Saunders played an outer-foot flick into space for Bowen, but the freshman's effort was saved waist-high. Maya Cole and Stackhouse each had a shot saved in the 26th and 27th minutes.

 

The second half saw Lexi Trombly put a volley on goal only to have the effort saved. Less than a minute later, Trombly tried to bury a header as the attempt went high and left of frame. In the 51st minute, Jillian Bowen received a perfectly-weighted pass mid-stride along the left side of the field. The freshman cut back to work around a defender but her rolling shot did not find its way past the goalkeeper. Sophia Fleming had a shot on a free kick saved as the Belles continued to apply the pressure, and Kellen Hinchey had a free kick shot saved from distance. Stackhouse, meanwhile, had an effort in the waning minutes of regulation sail just over the crossbar from the top of the box as two teams went to overtime.

 

Stackhouse had a shot in the first minute of the added period go just wide left. The Belles then earned possession back after a goal kick and drew a foul. Kellen Hinchey played a quick ball wide right for Sophia Fleming, and Fleming sent the cross into the box toward Stackhouse. Stackhouse jumped and headed the ball past the keeper and just over the goal line for the 2-1 final.

 

Rose Stackhouse scored her team-leading eighth goal of the year while Emily Stross netted her second collegiate goal for the Belles. Jillian Bowen, Kellen Hinchey, and Sophia Fleming each picked up an assist. Thallia Robles made nine saves in goal while picking up the win.

 

The Belles (5-3) are on the road for the fourth consecutive game as they travel to Augustana (Ill.) on Sunday for a 1:00 p.m. CDT/2:00 p.m. EDT contest.