Kelly's Goal In Double-Overtime Lifts Bulldogs To Exciting Home Win Over ODU

Big Rapids, Mich. - A header by senior Kate Kelly in the second overtime period lifted the Ferris State University women's soccer squad to an exciting 1-0 triumph over visiting Ohio Dominican on Friday (Sept. 16) afternoon at FSU's Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids.

Kelly recorded the day's only goal at 102:39 of the second extra session when she put the ball in the net on a header inside the box off a long free kick from FSU's Rachel Fouts. The goal finally settled the outcome after the two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foes had battled scoreless thru 90 minutes of regulation and an entire 10-minute first overtime period.

The goal was Kelly's first of the season and gave FSU its second victory of the year, including the Bulldogs' second consecutive win at home. The contest was a non-league outing between the two conference rivals, who will play in Big Rapids again during the league slate later this year.

Along with giving the Bulldogs the victory, the game-winner also enabled FSU to take a slim 20-19 edge in total shots on the day. FSU tallied more shots than the Panthers in both the first and second halves before ODU produced seven chances in the first extra period to only two for FSU.

Bulldog freshman goalkeeper Grace Kraft earned the win in net as she moved to 2-0 on the year. She came up with 13 saves in 102:39 of work, including several key saves down the stretch in posting the shutout victory.

Meanwhile, ODU's Kelsey Harris suffered the loss in net after entering the contest at halftime. She played 57:39 in net with four saves with starter Marissa Wierzbicki recording no saves in 45 minutes of work.

Fouts paced FSU with a team-high seven shots overall and had two on goal. Both Meredith Smith and Hilerie Schatzle tallied three shots apiece.

On the Ohio Dominican side, Alli Pavlik had a big day with nine shot attempts and seven on net.
Ferris State received six corner kick tries and totaled 12 fouls in comparison to Ohio Dominican's five corners and nine fouls.

With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 2-3 overall this season and ODU dropped to 1-2-2 overall.
Ferris State will be back in action on Saturday (Sept. 18) as the Bulldogs visit Saginaw Valley State for a non-league tilt in University Center, Mich. Match time is set for 12 p.m. (ET).