ST. GEORGE, UTAH – An instant classic culminated Saturday night at Hansen Stadium when
Wendy Stratford (Layton, UT/Layton) scored a golden goal in the second overtime to give the Red Storm of Dixie State College a 2-1 triumph over the University of Hawaii-Hilo.
Dixie State (6-3, 5-0 Pac West) controlled the shot tally 40-4 in the match, but almost let the win slip from their fingertips. The Vulcans (3-6-2, 2-2-1) rode a roller coaster of emotions from getting no points, to three points and finally hoped to salvage a single point with a draw before the late Dixie State score.
Stratford broke away from defenders off
Carly Haycock (Bountiful. UT/Bountiful HS '06)'s pass in the 108
th minute before beating Vulcan goalie Shanna Brown in the left corner for her fifth – and most dramatic – goal of the year.
The Storm notched the game's first goal in the 47
th minute when Stratford assisted on a
Jessica Michie (Purcellville, VA/Louden Valley) header to the right side.
DSC played keepaway almost long enough to preserve the lead, but careless defense in the goal box awarded UHH's Emily Lambert a penalty kick. Lambert easily scored past Abby Monroe to tie the match 1-1 in the 89th minute.
Hilo had the first two chances in the second overtime to seal the win. One shot missed wide and the closest attempt hit the left-side post and rebounded away from the net.
Current Pac West player of the week,
Mikala Wilkes (Cedar Hills. UT/Lone Peak HS '06), led all players with 14 shots and 5 were on goal. Hilo's Brown did a marvelous job in net saving 12 shots.
Dixie State concludes a three match in six day stint Monday evening at 7pm hosting Hawaii Pacific University.
