Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore forward Jodi Barber propelled the Barton College women's soccer team to a 1-0 Conference Carolinas double overtime triumph over archrival Mount Olive College with a golden goal on Spirit Night Wednesday at the Barton Outdoor Athletic Complex.
Barber beat Trojan freshman goalkeeper Stephanie McCoy to a crossing pass at the top of the 18-yard box served by senior Taylor Parrish with a beautiful touch to her left and then was able to chip in a tough angle shot into the back of an empty net to end the game in the 106th minute.
"We didn't create nearly as many chances today as we did against Erskine but Jodi showed a lot of composure to beat the goalkeeper and then pick up her head to finish the play because she still had a bit to do," said Barton first year head coach Chris Shaw when questioned about Barber's late game-winning tally. "So it was kudos to her for taking a good touch like that and just having the composure to slot it away. It was an important goal for us."
Barton moved back over .500 on the season at 4-3 with its fourth shutout in its last five games and leveled its league ledger to 1-1. The Trojans slipped to 1-5-1 overall and 0-2 in the conference. The win was the first by the Lady Bulldogs over Mount Olive since 2008.
Junior goalie Carson Moore made a game-saving stop for the Lady Bulldogs just one minute before BC scored its second golden goal in three games. Sophomore Ellie Barnes ripped a hard shot from close range in the 105th minute but Moore was able to dive to her left and deflect the ball out of bounds for the highlight-reel save. Moore made her game-high seventh save moments later on a sophomore Jaclyn Thomas shot off the ensuing corner kick.
Coach Shaw added, "I don't think Carson had a lot to do and I've been talking to her about staying focused. The better we are the less she has to do, but there are going to be times when we need her to make a big time save and that is what she did today. We've talked about having pride and keeping the ball out of the back of the net. My thing is if we don't give up goals we can't lose and give ourselves a chance to win."
Both squads took four shots in the first half. The Lady Bulldogs had the best opportunities, putting three strikes on frame, but McCoy came up with the stops on the attempts off the foots of Barber, sophomore Emily Futral and freshman Grace Fehan.
McCoy finished with four saves before being beat with just four minutes and 34 seconds left in the final OT.
Barnes, who took two of the Trojans' four shots in the opening period, had another great look in the 56th minute after dribbling around a couple Barton defenders but was denied by Moore.
Mount Olive took the first five shots of the second half and nearly scored in the 60th minute on a launch by sophomore Maddy Robak that went off the crossbar.
Barton finally recorded its first shot of the half in the 72nd minute when Barber trapped a cross at the top of the box and curled a low shot to the left post but the ball tricked just wide of its target. Barber's attempt started a three-shot flurry by the Lady Bulldogs, including a Parrish shot that was saved in the 81st minute.
The visitors took the final two cracks in regulation but Moore came up with a pair of late saves on Robak and freshman Alex Wetherhold in the 88th minute to keep the contest scoreless heading into the first of the two sudden-victory, 10-minute overtime periods.
Welterholt took the only shot registered in an evenly-played first OT but her shot sailed high.
The Trojans finished with a 14-8 shot advantage, with Barnes taking five attempts including four on frame. The Lady Bulldogs held a 7-4 corner kick edge.
Barton concludes its season-long, three-match homestand on Saturday when the Lady Bulldogs entertain Limestone College at 5 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs are 3-1 at home.
