The Husson University Eagles faced the St. Joseph's College Monks to open their North Atlantic Conference play on Saturday at Husson's Winkin Complex, falling to the Monks 3-2 in overtime.  Courtney Rague (Old Orchard Beach, ME) tallied the game winning goal four minutes into the first overtime period.  With the loss, the Eagles fall to 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in the NAC while St. Joseph's improves to 5-2 (1-0 NAC).

The Eagles controlled the majority of the flow of play in the first half holding an 18-4 shot advantage and 9-2 corner advantage over St. Joseph's.  Following a flurry of shots in front of the St. Joseph's goal with just thirty seconds left in the half, the Monks' goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson (Portland, ME) came up with big saves for her team.  With time expired but a short corner to take place for the Eagles, the Monks were able to kill the corner and the half ended a scoreless 0-0.

Husson reached the scoreboard twelve minutes into the second half when Caroline Bochtler (Sr., Turner, ME)scored off a corner assisted by Helen Berry (Sr., Belfast, ME).  Bochtler hit a long shot from the top of the circle for the score, following the pass by Berry.

Two minutes and twenty-four seconds later, St. Joseph's Rachel Messuri tied the game after her shot was blocked by a Husson defender and ricocheted in a high arc, dropping over the shoulder of goalkeeper, Christen Capen (So., Leeds, ME), and into the goal.

Another two minutes and thirty seconds would elapse until the Monks pushed their lead to 2-1 off a goal scored by Melanie Allen (Jackson, NH).  Allen received a pass from Rague and buried the ball in the back of the Husson cage.

Husson evened the score at 2-2 when Lorri Hiltz (Jr., Norridgewock, ME) scored off an assist from Helen Berry off a corner.

Despite numerous chances for both teams throughout the remainder of the second half, neither was able to achieve the game winner.

The second half ended with a 12-9 shot advantage and 8-5 short corner advantage for the Eagles.  That advantage did not carry over into overtime as the Monks came out firing, taking four shots on goal and earning two corners. 

A point-blank shot by Kayla Nowell (Bridgton, ME) appeared destined for the Husson cage but was kicked away by Capen 1:15 into the overtime period.   Minutes later, Rague carried the ball the length of the field and past the Husson defense but Kapen came off her line, making a save to keep the Eagles alive. 

St. Josephs' Rague would not be deterred, scoring the game winning goal with a high strike to Kapen's right off a short corner to give the Monks their first NAC victory of the year.

“We need to work harder,” stated Head Coach Katie Flaherty.  “We had an advantage in shots and corners all game, except in overtime and needed to put the ball in the cage,” continued Flaherty.