College Women’s Soccer Final – N.C. Wesleyan 1, Guilford 0 (2 OT)

GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina Wesleyan College’s Ella Burkhart scored the game-winning goal with 2:14 left in the second overtime to claim a warm and muggy Tuesday evening victory over Guilford College, 1-0.

Both teams played tight throughout the first half with the Battling Bishops holding a narrow shot advantage, 2-1. Both squads utilized their reserves early and often in the first half to counter fatigue in what was the first game of the season for each side.

Both clubs increased the attack in the second half as longer-distance shots were fired on both sides, especially towards the latter stages of the period. The Quakers’ defense held off the Battling Bishops thanks to Guilford’s back line booting a Sarah Olsowski shot off the goal line after a corner kick on the near-post side in the 59th minute, keeping the match tied.

Shots were limited in the overtime periods, but Burkhart snuck a 30-yard shot up the middle of the field with 2:14 left in the final overtime to claim the win.

N.C. Wesleyan outshot the Quakers, 15-8, and held the corner kick advantage, 6-3.

Becca Banks stopped four shots in net for the Quakers before having to exit the contest after a collision in the box near the 60th minute. Maggie Albert made five saves in the remainder of the contest. N.C. Wesleyan’s Vanessa Batchelor stopped four shots in goal for the Battling Bishops.

The Quakers continue their string of three straight home contests at the beginning of the season Friday, hosting William Peace University in a 7 p.m. contest.