Klusek’s Overtime Goal Puts No. 16 Women’s Soccer in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

By: Andrew Korba

ADA — Freshman Kristina Klusek took a pass from sophomore Sami Atkinson in the 95th minute and beat the goalkeeper to give the No. 16 Ohio Northern women's soccer team a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over Scranton (Pa.) Saturday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field.

With the win, the Polar Bears advance to the second round and are now 16-2-2, while the Royals conclude their season at 13-4-3.

The overtime period began with Scranton firing two shots, one of which was on goal.

The Polar Bears then gained possession in their own zone and Atkinson got the ball along the left side and sent a high cross to the right side of the field that Klusek took out of the air blasted past the keeper into the upper left corner of the net.

The goal was Klusek's 12th of the season.

Both halves were very even with Northern putting pressure on at the end of the game.

Senior Alyssa Merrick fired a shot in the 87th minute that hit the post. She would fire another shot a few seconds later that hit the crossbar.

Senior Chelsea Chadwick also had a shot on goal, but a diving stop was made by Royals goalie Kelsy McAnelly.

"I am very proud of our girls today," head coach Mark Batman said. "They persevered through some tough times in the match and took advantage of the opportunity. We will move onto tomorrow very confident."

Junior goalie Erin Waehner posted her eighth shutout of the season by making four saves.

Northern outshot the Royals by a 13-9 margin.

Ohio Northern will be in action tomorrow when it faces Ithaca in the second round of the tournament. This is the first time in program history that a women's soccer team has advanced to the second round of the NCAA postseason.