SCORE
Montevallo 1, Christian Brothers 0 (Overtime)
RECORDS
Montevallo (1-2-2)
Christian Brothers (3-1-0)
LOCATION
Varsity Field (Montevallo, Ala.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Abbey West netted the first goal of her collegiate career, a game winner in the 93rd minute, to lead the Falcons to their first win of the 2015 season.
Following a lengthy punt by Montevallo goalkeeper Katie Pearson, West capitalized on a mistake by a Christian Brothers defender in the Falcons' territory and the Buccaneers' goalkeeper didn't have enough time to react as she fired a shot over the top of the outstretched arms of the keeper.
Pearson and her counterpart, Ellie Mouyal, along with the Montevallo defense, gave the Falcons a chance to net the game-winner in overtime. The Falcons' two goalkeepers turned away a barrage of attempts by Christian Brothers in regulation. Pearson finished the match with three saves, while Mouyal recorded two saves as the Buccaneers came away empty on five shots on goal.
Montevallo found a way to pick up its first win of the season despite a 18-3 shot advantage by Christian Brothers. The Buccaneers also held a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks, but in the end it didn't matter as West capitalized on the final of three scoring opportunities for the Falcons in the match.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Falcons had one shot on goal in the victory and made it count, with West netting the game-winner early in the first overtime period.
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Pearson ran her scoreless streak to 116 minutes while tending the net for the Falcons. The sophomore from Brandon, Mississippi has also benefitted from a strong defense in front of her to keep opponents off the scoreboard in the past two matches.
The game-winning goal by West marked her first goal in three years with the Falcons. After appearing in just 15 matches in her first two seasons at Montevallo, West has started three matches this season while appearing in all five contests for the Falcons.
The victory marked head coach Robert Lane's first win in his tenure at Montevallo. The former UNC Charlotte assistant coach and Belmont Abbey head coach ran his career record to 32-9-5.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Robert Lane
"It's probably one of the better feelings I've had in a long time. It's been five or six years since I've been a head coach, and so to get back into the game and to have a plan and a process and to finally see it come together today and for us to get a result, it is certainly fulfilling. It's not me who is playing. A lot of the credit goes to certainly our staff and the players, who for the second time play in overtime at a home game. To find a result against a great Christian Brothers side, I am so proud of them."
"Christian Brothers had some great results this year. We knew they were exceptionally organized and just a quality side with great individual talent. It would take a complete team to defend them well behind the ball and we did that."
Junior Abbey West
"I know we've been working hard for this. We've put a lot of work in as a team and it was my first goal ever, actually, so to get that win under my belt, it's awesome. (It's) just an awesome feeling."
"Honestly, first just screamed, 'Yes!' I didn't even think about it, the reaction just came out. I actually didn't remember what had happened, like I knew where the ball went, but I didn't know who played me the ball and I actually had to have someone tell me after the game."
UP NEXT
Following a stretch of three matches in five days, the Falcons will take nearly a full week off before opening Peach Belt Conference play against UNC Pembroke. Montevallo will take on the Braves in their conference opener in a neutral site match at Laker Field on the Clayton State University campus in Morrow, Georgia. Match time is set for 1 p.m. Eastern/12 p.m. Central.
