Women's Soccer tops Denison 2-1 on Atkinson's penalty kick

By: Jordan Garrison

ADA -- Senior Sami Atkinson scored on a penalty kick at the 103:19 mark in the second overtime to lead the Ohio Northern women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Denison on Tuesday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field.

ONU improves to 4-2-1 on the season, while Denison drops to 3-3-0.

Atkinson was fouled in the box while dribbling towards the goal in overtime.

She stepped up and drained her shot to the upper left corner of the goal to give the Polar Bears the win.

Ohio Northern got things started in the first half with a rebound goal in the 26th minute.

Senior Abbie Schauble sent a pass to senior Sandra Thorarensen who then fired a shot that was saved.

But junior Kristina Klusek was right there on the rebound to put the ball in the net for the 1-0 Northern lead.

Denison battled back in the second half tying it up in the 54th minute when Jocelyn Festle scored an unassisted goal bringing the game to 1-1.

ONU had a chance in the closing minutes to win when Thorarensen took a shot on the rebound that went just wide.

"Denison is a great team and is going to do extremely well this season," head coach Mark Batman said. "I'm really proud of our kids and happy for them to beat a team with such tradition.  They will enjoy this today and move on tomorrow and look ahead at another tough team on Saturday when we play Thomas More."

Sophomore goalie Emily Brodict recorded three total saves in the game and is now 3-1-1 for the year.

Andrea Karl fell to 3-3-0 for the Big Red and made two saves.

Ohio Northern outshot Denison 15-12 total in the game, but Denison held the advantage on corner kicks at 9-5.

ONU will be in action again on Saturday, when it travels to take on Thomas More (Ky.) at noon.