SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- After battling through a scoreless 90:00 of regulation play, senior midfielder Whitney Brannan converted a free kick just outside the box to deliver a 1-0 victory to John Brown over Bellevue (Neb.) this afternoon at Alumni Field on day one of the JBU Invitational.
The JBU offense was again dominant in its possession. John Brown fired 19 shots toward the Bruin net as seven players tallied a shot on goal.
"I was really proud of the team today and the way they approached the game collectively and individually," noted head coach Kathleen Paulsen. "It was a step in the right direction as we embraced our core values and grinded through some fatigue. We still have more steps to take, but there was progress today and we are looking forward to carrying it into tomorrow."
JBU outshot the visitors by a 9-3 margin in the first half. Despite the disparity, the Bruins held a 2-0 corner kick advantage through the first 45 minutes.
The second half was much like the first. Both teams had opportunities to score as the Golden Eagles almost repeated its feat in the first half by out-shooting Bellevue 9-4 in the second stanza. Sophomore netminder Kristen Morency made two big saves in the second half to preserve the clean sheet as the match progressed into overtime.
In the 95th minute, Bellevue (1-2-3) was awarded a free kick outside the Golden Eagle box after a hard foul by freshman defender Sarah Hill. The ensuing kick was intercepted by junior midfielder Casey O'Brien, who quickly outletted the ball to the left sidelines to Brannan. After hesitating, Brannan fired a strong pass to a streaking Adrienne Kennedy.
Kennedy caught the ball in stride and was able to slide a pass across the field to junior forward Laura Garcia just before two defenders closed down the passing lane. In an apparent one-on-one with the BU keeper, Garcia was tripped from behind just outside the box, setting up John Brown's best scoring opportunity.
While the Bruin wall closed off much of the net, Brannan's left-footed kick found a seem to the left. The well-struck ball veered to the left of the Bellevue barricade, eluding Caitlin Stier, to give the Golden Eagles the 1-0 victory.
"It was a great finish by Whitney," admitted Pauslen. "She's been working on (free kicks) and it was great to see that work pay off."
Morency totaled five saves in the complete-game, clean sheet effort. Stier was dinged with her second loss in six matches for Bellevue, earning five saves. Morency's shutout was the second of the season, and her ninth full clean slate of her career.
Seven players fired shots on goal for JBU as Brannan finished with a game-high five. Garcia notched three shots as did O'Brien. Kennedy and freshman midfielder Sara Lachance each chipped in with two shots apiece while Julie Whitlow and Nicole Kosin each contributed a lone shot.
John Brown finished the match with a 19-7 shot advantage, including nine in each half of regulation before Brannan's tally in extra time ended the match. Fouls finished slightly in favor of Bellevue (10-9) while the Bruins held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Golden Eagles continue play on Saturday (Sept. 14) when it takes on Grace (Ind.) in a 2:00 p.m. bout. The Lancers (3-4-0) are currently receiving votes in the latest NAIA National Poll, but fell today against Oklahoma City in a 4-1 decision.
