Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-For a third consecutive season the Barton College and Erskine College women's soccer teams needed overtime to determine a winner as the two squads played scoreless soccer in regulation on Saturday evening.
A golden goal scored by sophomore Stephanie Gauthier (Irmo, S.C.) in the 95th minute propelled the Flying Fleet to the narrow 1-0 Conference Carolinas victory. Erskine improved to 6-6 overall and 5-4 in the league. The Lady Bulldogs were unable to string together a pair of wins for the second time this year slipping to 3-9 and 2-7.
"We played extremely well, but unfortunately we just couldn't get the win," said Barton head coach Ike Onyeador. "With so many young players, overtime was a new experience. We can learn from this about keeping our concentration for a whole match and be better prepared for next time."
Gauthier scored the game-winner on an assist by junior Molly Harpe (Anderson, S.C.) midway through the first 10-minute sudden victory period. It was Gauthier's first goal of the season and Harpe's team-high fourth assist.
After Barton junior Erin Haddon (Cary, N.C.) committed a foul that resulted in a yellow card, Harpe sailed a free kick from the left sideline into the box and to Gauthier, who then completed the game-ending play with an accurate shot.
Sophomore Taylor Parrish (Smithfield, N.C.) tried to provide Barton with some late heroics as she took the final two shots of regulation but each attempt missed its mark wide. The Bulldogs leading scorer had a team-high three shots, followed by a pair of shots by freshman Breanna Briggs (Hubert, N.C.).
Barton's defense played solid throughout anchored by freshman goalkeeper Carson Moore (Greenville, N.C.), who made eight saves. Moore was helped defensively by senior Brittany Bobbitt (Manassas, Va.), freshman Brenna Cripe (Monroe, N.C.), freshman Nicole Smith (Apex, N.C.) and freshman Meredith Sharp (Wilson, N.C.)
Erskine doubled up the Bulldogs 18-9 in shot attempts and had a 5-2 corner kick edge.
The Flying Fleet defeated Barton by the same 1-0 (2OT) score in the team's last trip to Wilson in 2009. The Bulldogs followed with a 2-1 (OT) win in Due West in 2010.
Barton next hosts Coker College in a Conference Carolinas East Division showdown on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
