Big Rapids, Mich. – The Ohio Dominican women's soccer team found themselves in an early hole once again, but rallied in the final minutes for their second straight come-from-behind road victory, defeating Ferris State, 2-1, Friday afternoon to move into sole possession of first place in the GLIAC South.
The Panthers gave up just their fourth goal of the season when a foul inside the box allowed Bulldog Kara Lovelace to connect on a penalty kick at the 20:18 mark in the first half.
ODU quickly countered less than four minutes later as Sierra Patterson (Jr./Brecksville, OH) found Jennifer Holton (So./Johnstown, OH) from the left side who connected on center net for her team-leading third goal, knotting the game at 1-1. Patterson's assist was her team leading fourth of the year.
The Panthers almost took a lead into the break, but just missed on the scoring opportunity as Sage Patterson's (Fr./Brecksville, OH) shot glanced off the crossbar in the 33rd minute.
The score would remain 1-1 for much of the game until the 88th minute, when freshman Patterson blasted a direct kick into the upper right ninety, just past the outstretched hands of the diving keeper for the game winner and her first collegiate score.
Holton finished with a game high five shots on goal as ODU posted a 17-9 shot advantage for the game, including a 12-4 margin in the first half.
Senior keeper Aimee Simonet (New Albany, OH) turned aside five shots in the game, running her record to 4-1-2.
With the win the Panthers improve to 6-1-2 and 4-1-2 in the GLIAC, taking a half game lead over Findlay for first place in the South. After going unbeaten in their previous five matches, Ferris State falls to 4-5-1 and 4-3-1 in GLIAC play.
ODU will look to continue their momentum as they travel to current NCAA No. 6 and defending national champion, Grand Valley State, on Sunday, Oct. 3 for a 1 p.m. showdown with the 8-1-1 Lakers.
