Game Recap By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

The mantra was simple. It was fueled by a desire to end what had become a soccer marathon.

“Going into overtime, our team was like, ‘We have to do this,'” said The Master’s University forward Sierra Carrasco. “‘Put the ball in the back of the net and we get to go home, we get to go home.'”

The Mustangs played overtime soccer for the second day in a row Saturday, and this time they ended the match before the extra period really got rolling.

In the 92nd minute, Carrasco zipped a pass across the University of Jamestown’s penalty box, and Lynnae George banged it into the net from close range, securing a 2-1 win and spilling an exhausted bunch of Mustangs onto the field in weary celebration.

“We talked about it yesterday, that we wanted to end it quickly,” George said of Friday’s 0-0 tie with the University of Antelope Valley that required double overtime and left TMU with less than 17 hours to prepare to host Jamestown (N.D). “But today it actually happened. The first chance we got, we needed to put it away.”

In doing so, the Mustangs (4-2-1) beat an NAIA top-25 team for the first time this season and extended their unbeaten streak to four matches.

The Jimmies (3-3-0) entered the day ranked No. 25, one spot below Master’s, and were coming off a 4-0 loss at No. 4 Vanguard University on Friday.

The Mustangs hope to be ready to challenge Vanguard when Golden State Athletic Conference play rolls around later this month. So far, Master’s has relied on a defense that has allowed one or no goals in five of the team’s seven matches and three or fewer shots four times.

Saturday, it held the Jimmies to one shot.

“Our defense has been solid. They’re doing a great job communicating and not letting forwards get by them easily,” said George, who also praised the work of goalie Lacey Lehman.

The Jimmies’ lone goal came in the 71st minute when Shelby Webb crossed the ball inside the 18-yard box and a Mustang defender deflected it into the net for an own goal.

Jamestown didn’t otherwise threaten. But the Mustangs’ 12 regulation shots only turned into the one goal. It was an important one.

In the 80th minute, Hailey Gomillion took a pass from Sydney Robinson and put it past the keeper. It was the second time this season she’s scored in the 80th minute or later to tie the score or give TMU the lead.

Against Southern Oregon on Aug. 31, her goal in the 85th minute was the only score of the game. This one on Saturday was her third goal of the year, and she fell to the ground upon scoring it. She had to be helped up. The Mustangs pressed on.

“Our team did an amazing job going into overtime,” Carrasco said. “Our coach told us, ‘You have to push, push, push.’ That’s basically what our sprints are for at the end of practice.”

Here’s the box score.

Thankfully, the Mustangs can now enjoy a week off before playing on the road against Marymount California University on Sept. 15.