Box Score by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – Freshman Taylor Doeble's golden goal 7:51 into the first overtime period lifted Barton College to a 2-1 women's soccer victory over Lees-McRae on Homecoming Saturday at the Barton Outdoor Athletics Complex.
The win helped the Lady Bulldogs improve to 10-3-2 overall and 5-3-1 in Conference Carolinas play. The Bobcats, now 5-9-1 overall, entered the match tied with Barton for fifth place in the league, but finished the day seventh in the crowded standings at 4-4-1.
After receiving a crossing pass into the congested box area from the right sideline from junior Emily Futral, Doeble threaded a shot through several defenders and just inside the right post past diving LMC keeper Kaitlyn Briggs. The goal was the third of the year for the Punta Gorda, Fla., resident, and all three have been game-winners.
The win extended Barton's undefeated record in overtime matches to a dozen games. The Lady Bulldogs have gone 8-0-4 over that span.
Futral, who collected her third assist of the year on the golden goal, scored Barton's other goal just 3:50 into the contest on a penalty kick. The PK was awarded after Kathryn Smith was tripped by Lees-McRae defender Ariana Smith while trying to make a crossover dribble in the box just off the right post. Futral beat Briggs with a shot into the upper right corner for her fifth goal of the year.
Lees-McRae's leading scorer, Meagan Thornton, nearly added to her total in the 21st minute, ripping a shot that nearly had enough top-spin to get under the crossbar, but the shot narrowly missed high.
Although the Bobcats had a number of good attempts that missed wide, Lees-McRae had just one shot on frame in the first period, that one an attempt by Sarah Mahar that was stopped by Barton keeper Carson Moore.
The Lady Bulldogs controlled play for much of the half, producing four corner kicks and four attempts on goal that were saved by Briggs.
Barton seemed to be in command in the second period as well, allowing Lees-McRae just one attempt in the first 25 minutes. However, in the 75th minute, LMC's Erin Barcal launched a deep lob from just a few steps inside midfield into the box. Sophomore defender Kate Brandon settled the ball, turned and chipped the ball just over the reach of Moore, who had gone to her knees while attempting to stop the shot.
Doeble narrowly missed an opportunity to put Barton in front late in regulation when her attempt from the right wing towards the left post went just wide.
Lees-McRae had an even better chance in the waning moments, as an attempt by Lena Langille hit the left post with just 1:02 remaining.
The Bobcats continued to press offensively in the overtime period, getting three good shots, two of them saved by Moore and the other missing wide left.
Barton did not have a shot attempt until Doeble's game-winner with 1:09 left in the period.
The Lady Bulldogs had a 17-14 edge in shots in the contest and a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. Briggs made five saves for Lees-McRae and Moore had three for Barton. The Lady Bulldogs had eight corner kicks to just two for LMC.
The victory was Barton's first over Lees-McRae since 2009 and its first in Wilson since 2008.
The match was the final regular-season home game for the Lady Bulldogs. Barton will complete its schedule with two road matches, beginning with the University of Mount Olive on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
