GOSHEN, IND. – Manchester University opened a rugged week of non-league matches Wednesday, Sept. 11, by taking in-state National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ rival Goshen to an extra session. Two goals in an eight-minute span from the waning moments of regulation into the first overtime lifted the home team to a 2-1 win.

The Spartans got out to a strong start at the GC Soccer Complex. Junior forward Katelyn Barta (Griffith, Ind.) resumed her hot streak, posting a goal against the Maple Leafs’ defense in the eighth minute. Her sixth goal of the season, marking the fourth successive match in which she’s posted a score, nearly held up.

Behind another sparkling effort from the Black and Gold defense and junior goalkeeper Emily Willmann (Montpelier, Ind.), MU maintained the advantage until the closing stages. In the 88^th minute, the surging Goshen offense finally cracked the Spartans’ net with a strike from sophomore midfielder Anneliese Baer on a loose ball in the goal box. The two sides remained tied over six minutes into the first overtime before freshman defender Janeth Vela struck a ball from 25 feet out that got into the top corner for the Goshen win.

Willimann finished with 11 saves in the face of a 22-11 Maple Leafs’ shots advantage. Barta, besides accounting for the Spartans’ goal, also led the overall shots and shots and goal columns as all three of her attempts were on goal. Junior forward Breanna McLane (Westville, Ind.) added two overall shot tries that were both on goal.

Manchester University returns to Spartan Field for a key NCAA Division III regional clash with Thomas More Sunday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

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