By Staff Reports

 

CENTRAL, SC – A last-minute goal by junior Alison Rugel earned the Lady Canes soccer team a 3-2 victory over Southern Wesleyan in double overtime on Wednesday, September 5.

GSW (1-1) opened up quickly. Ella Hawkins scored the first goal of the season for GSW in the eighth minute, giving the Lady Canes an early 1-0 lead.

However, in the 34th minute, the Knights got the equalizer as Ashley Romanowski tied the match at 1-1.

The Lady Canes were able to regain the momentum. Michelle Gustavsen scored for GSW four minutes later in the 38th minute to take her team into halftime with a 2-1 lead.

In the second half, Southern Wesleyan drew level at 2-2 when Joy Namyst scored in the 69th minute.

The game could not be decided in regulation or in the first overtime. In the second overtime, after multiple saves by both goalkeepers, Rugel scored the deciding goal in the 109th minute to give the Lady Canes a hard-fought 3-2 win. It was their first victory in 16 games.

GSW outperformed Southern Wesleyan in every category. They had more shots (26-15) and more shots on goal (15-6) than their opposition. All three goals by the Lady Canes were team firsts and unassisted goals.

The Lady Canes, having finally tasted victory, will try to stay in the win column when they travel to Mobile, AL on Sunday, September 9, to take on Spring Hill College for a 3:30 p.m. match. GSW returns home on Wednesday, September 12 for their first home match of the season against Middle Georgia State. It will be an historic match for the Lady Canes as they will play their first match in school history under the lights. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.