Box Score

One game into the conference schedule, the Malone University women's soccer team (3-1-1, 1-0 GLIAC) has already done something it failed to do in 2012: win a GLIAC match. Freshman Brianna Smith scored a game-winning goal two minutes and 33 seconds into the second overtime period Friday afternoon to stun the visiting Saginaw Valley State (MI) University Cardinals (2-2-1, 0-1 GLIAC) and give the Pioneers their first-ever GLIAC win.

Saginaw Valley State controlled the match in the first half, outshooting the Pioneers 18-0. Saginaw's Kelsey Burt opened the scoring in the 9th minute to give the visitors' the lead but head coach Josh Jones' resilient bunch kept fighting and held the Cardinals scoreless the rest of the way.

Malone didn't record its first shot until after Saginaw had already attempted 22 but their attackers proved they didn't nearly need that many chances. Freshman Christine Najjar evened the game up in the 64th minute when she spun off a would-be defender and laced a powerful shot into the top corner of the net from 25 yards out. The goal came on just Malone's second shot of the game. Malone's defense, led by freshman Simone Keibler and sophomore Amanda Najjar, fought admirably for the entire match. When Saginaw did penetrate the Pioneer backline they were solved time and time again by Malone sophomore goalkeeper Staci Hackett. Her sensational effort, which saw her set a career-high in saves with 15, was the difference in the match.

The Cardinals were inches away from winning the match at the end of regulation when a lumped in ball careened around the box with under five seconds to go but Hackett bailed the Pioneers out by making a save with her backside laying on the goal line.

After neither side generated much offense in the first overtime period, it was clear that Malone was the hungrier side to start the second. Freshman Sarah Reutter almost won the game for the Pioneers a minute into the last period but her flicked header trickled just wide of the post. Moments later Smith did send the Pioneers home winners. She received a pass from sophomore Leah Arnold, dribbled laterally across the face of the goal, and sent a left-footed shot across her body just inside the far post, sending the Pioneers into pandemonium as they celebrated the win.

Saginaw Valley outshot Malone 32-9 for the match, but shots were only 14-9 after halftime. Hackett's 15 saves, were 13 more than her counterpart from Saginaw Valley. Christine Najjar led Malone in shots with three while Reutter had two. The Pioneers will attempt to move to 2-0 in the GLIAC when they welcome Northwood University (MI) on Sunday, September 22 at 12:00 pm.  Live stats will be available during the contest at http://www.sidearmstats.com/malone/wsoc/