LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team snatched victory from the jaws of a draw.
With the Atlantic Sun Conference's two stingiest defenses squaring off Thursday night in Owsley B. Frazier Stadium, prime scoring chances were exceedingly hard to come by, but the Knights broke through on sophomore forward
McKenzie Carle's goal in the 89th minute of a 1-0 triumph over North Alabama.
Cracking the defense of North Alabama (5-3-2, 1-1 ASUN) was no small feat for Bellarmine (8-1-2, 2-1), which continued to bolster its Division I-era program record for wins. The Lions entered the contest tied for seventh in the nation in goals-against average (0.33) while conceding three goals all season and piling up six shutouts.
Bellarmine, which was coming off a season-long four-game road swing, refused to be UNA's latest shutout victim. With less than two minutes remaining, senior forward
Lucy von Stefenelli made a run up the center of the field before splitting two defenders with a through ball to Carle in the box.
With North Alabama's Madison Vukas, who has played every minute this season and is the reigning ASUN Goalkeeper of the Week, charging toward her, Carle poked a one-touch past Vukas toward the far post. It initially appeared as if the attempt was headed wide right, but Carle had craftily glazed it with spin, and it veered inside the post.
Carle's sixth goal of the season off von Stefenelli's second assist of the year was an incredible turn of events. Only minutes earlier, North Alabama appeared as if it might break the scoreless deadlock, but Bellarmine redshirt freshman goalkeeper
Anna Jenkins made a brilliant kick save on a 1v1.
As far as potential scoring, the late theatrics were easily the most heart-stopping moments of a match that was largely dominated by the ASUN's two shrewdest defensive units. The Knights finished with a 10-7 advantage in shots, including 5-4 on frame, and posted their fifth shutout, with Jenkins registering four saves.
Bellarmine will host Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday in ASUN action.
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