GRINNELL, Iowa – After losing four heart-breakers in overtime this season and tying another, the Grinnell College women's soccer team knew it was due.
That time came Saturday, when the Pioneers scored eight minutes into the extra period for their first overtime win of the season. The 2-1 decision against the Fighting Scots at Springer Field moved Grinnell to 5-2 in the Midwest Conference, solidifying its second-place spot in the standings. Grinnell is 7-6-1 overall, while the Fighting Scots fell to 3-4 in the league and 8-7 overall.
The contest was a scoreless draw at halftime before Monmouth struck for a goal in the 61st minute. With less than 10 minutes left in regulation,
Esmé Kayim-Yanko '21 found the back of the net to tie the contest. It was her second goal of the season and third of her career. On the play,
Valencia Alvarez '20 took a corner kick and Kayim-Yanko controlled it and booted it across the ground into the goal. It was the third assist of the season for Alvarez.
The rest of regulation was scoreless, forcing overtime. In the 98th minute, Alvarez scored her team-high fifth goal of the season to send Grinnell into celebration. On the play,
Jordan Maddaus '19 sent a cross into the box which hit the keeper. Alvarez scored off the block for the 13th goal of her career. It was the team-high fifth assist of the year for Maddaus.
Grinnell owned the shots battle 16-9 and outdid Monmouth in corner kicks 5-1. Kayim-Yanko had five shots, Alvarez three and
Simona Bambi '20 and
Elyse Salpekar '19 two each.
Elizabeth Hunt '21 worked a strong game at keeper and made four saves.
Grinnell, which has won six in a row against Monmouth, has another big MWC test Tuesday against Cornell College. Action in Mount Vernon kicks off at 3:45 p.m.
