Garland's Goal In Second Overtime Lifts Bulldogs To Victory

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University sophomore midfielder Stephanie Garland found the back of the net with only 4:31 remaining in the second overtime to lift the Bulldog women's soccer team to a dramatic 2-1 triumph over Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Northwood on Friday (Sept. 21) at the FSU Soccer Field.

Garland's marker, which was her second of the year, came off a feed by freshman forward Nichole Boehnke and just snuck past Northwood goalkeeper Rebecca Lipinski to end the contest at the 105:29 mark.  The game was played under sometimes rainy and drizzly conditions in Big Rapids.

After a scoreless first half, the Bulldogs opened the scoring at 57:36 when sophomore midfielder Riley Wood notched her third goal of the season on a pass to the middle by freshman forward Casey Shauman.

The score stood for much of the final half until Northwood knotted the game up at one goal apiece on Amanda Watson's sixth score of the year at 83:03.  Her goal was assisted by Jessica Langer.

Both teams had a couple good scoring opportunities late in regulation, but neither team was able to capitalize and the game went to an extra session.  FSU and NU both had four shots apiece in the first 10-minute overtime before the Bulldogs finally ended the contest in the second extra frame.

Bulldog junior goalkeeper Rachel McCollum tallied six saves and allowed only a single goal in playing all 105:29 in net for Ferris State.  Northwood's Lipinski also went the distance and had nine saves.

The Bulldogs finished with a 22-17 edge in total shots and had 11 on net to only seven for the Timberwolves.  FSU also owned a slim 4-3 margin in corner kick tries.

Ferris State tallied six shots in the first half, 10 in the second half to go with four in the first overtime and two in the second extra period.  NU managed six as well in the opening frame followed by five in the second, four in the first overtime and two in the final period.

Shauman, Garland and Leanne Boehm all had four shot attempts each to lead the Bulldogs with Watson netting six in pacing the Timberwolves.

With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 3-3-1 overall and 2-1 in the GLIAC this season.  Northwood fell to 2-4 overall and suffered its first conference loss by dropping to 2-1 in league action.

The win was the second-straight at home for the Bulldogs, who also beat Ashland by  a 3-0 margin last Sunday (Sept. 17) behind two goals from Wood.  It was also FSU's fourth overtime contest of the year.

Ferris State hosts Saginaw Valley State on Sunday (Sept. 23) at 12 p.m. (ET) at the FSU Soccer Field to wrap up a four-match homestand.