Box Score
The UW-Parkside women's soccer team needed a victory on Sunday afternoon at Missouri S&T to all but secure a home match in the first round of the GLVC Tournament. After an early penalty kick put the Rangers in a hole, they turned to a pair of freshman to pull off a late comeback.
Leia Hanlon's first career goal evened the match in the 66th minute and
Karley Mecko scored her first as a Ranger in the 105th minute for a 2-1 victory in Rolla, Mo. Thanks to Quincy's loss at Southern Indiana, Parkside moved into third place in the league and should be hosting a tournament match for the second straight year.
Shannon Becker helped lead an early attack as the Rangers got three corner kicks and put two shots on goal in the game's first 20 minutes. Stacey Luquette kept both shots from Becker out of the net and shortly after the Miners got their goal.
The Rangers were whistled for a foul in the penalty box at 25:02, at which point Missouri S&T had recorded just one shot on the day. Melissa Young was able to bury the penalty kick for her fifth goal of the season and give the Miners the lead. It turned out to be their only shot on goal of the half.
The period ended with Parkside getting four more shots, including two on Luquette by
Kelsey Armour and
Karley Mecko. But the Missouri S&T keeper was able to stop them both and preserve the lead.
The Miners got the first shot of the second half just over five minutes in but from there the Rangers took over and did not allow an attempt the rest of the match. Parkside kept pressing and finally earned the tying goal at 66:03.
Hanlon was on the receiving end of a touch from Becker after a scramble in front of the goal. When it got to Hanlon the net was wide open as she tapped the ball in and got the match back to even.
Parkside kept attacking the rest of the way and that persistence finally paid off just over four minutes into the second overtime. Becker fired a shot on Luqette that she knocked away but Mecko was there to stick in the rebound and complete the comeback. It was the fourth overtime match in five outings for the Rangers who outshot the Miners 20-6 (9-2 on goal).
Parkside wraps up its regular season on Wednesday evening at Lewis University. The Rangers and Flyers will kickoff with both teams having plenty to play for in regards to the postseason tournament.
