Box Score by Kevin Buczek
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.-Junior Ashley Batchelor scored a sudden-victory tally in the 95th minute on a play set up by freshman Taylor Doeble and sophomore Kathryn Smith to provide head coach Todd Clark a 1-0 overtime victory in his debut as head coach of the Barton College women's soccer team.
The Lady Bulldogs held a commanding 12-6 shot advantage on the host Methodist University before Batchelor finally found the back of the Monarchs' net with the game-winning "golden goal" at the 94:33 mark.
Doeble started the game-ending sequence with a header flick from midfield to Smith, who then dribbled the ball towards the goal after beating Methodist's last defender. Smith had a one-on-one scenario with goalie Taylor Ross but wisely laid the ball off to Batchelor, who was supporting the run on the right side for the easy conversion.
Batchelor's fourth career goal gave Barton (1-0) its first season-opening win in eight years. The Lady Bulldogs last won their first game of a year in 2006, knocking off Chowan 4-0.
Methodist (0-3) of the NCAA Division III ranks remained winless on the early season.
Senior goalkeeper Carson Moore made one save in both halves and a third stop early in OT to preserve the clean slate for the Royal Blue and White. Moore has a dozen shutouts to her credit at Barton.
Moore was aided by strong team defense including starters Kasey Byzewski, Adrianna Jimenez, Rachel Krueger and Kelly Dolan along with important minutes by reserves Nicole Smith and Jessica Lime.
Barton jumped out on the home team dominating the first half with a 7-2 shot advantage. BC maintained the pressure with a slight 5-3 edge in the second half with Doeble taking four of the Lady Bulldogs' 12 shots in regulation.
Coach Clark was pleased with the squad's defensive play and happy the offense eventually found a way to score a goal, knowing that could be an issue early in the year.
The Lady Bulldogs have extended their undefeated streak in overtime games to nine games (7-0-2) dating back to a 3-2 loss to Coker in 2012.
Barton has a quick turnaround and will next play at Southern Virginia University on Saturday at 7 p.m.
