DECATUR, Ga.—It took 104 minutes, but Myah Johnson found the perfect touch on a ball out wide to end a USA South Conference match versus LaGrange to end the game with a golden goal. The Scotties broke out of a four-game slump, besting a Panthers team who had won five of its last six games, 1-0.
Agnes Scott improves to 3-5 on the season, but more importantly, starts with a mark in the win column in conference play. LaGrange falls to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in the USA South.
Batting injuries and a short bench, Agnes Scott still displayed a sharper touch than its opponent for much of the day. The Scotties doubled LaGrange's shot attempts in the game, but the Panthers' defense held strong through the entirety of regulation.
Several Scotties found themselves in prime scoring positions in the first half, only to see shot after shot pushed just wide of the target. For the most part, Agnes Scott did not test LaGrange keeper Emma Smith (Fernandina Beach, Fla.) and allowed Smith to settle in with simple catch saves.
The heat—which registered at 91 degrees at kickoff—started to take its toll in the second half as tired legs gave way to strong counters for both sides. Agnes Scott still held a firm 15-9 shot advantage over the Panthers in the second half, but LaGrange's opportunities tended to be more dangerous.
The Panthers looked ready to break the scoreless draw in the 79th minute when a foul at the top of the box gave them a good look. Sydney Dailey (Carrollton, Ga.) ripped a shot on target, forcing Victoria Cruz (Duncanville, Texas) to make a lunging save that caromed off the bottom of the crossbar and back into play. Olivia Braun (Carrollton, Ga.) grabbed the loose ball and took a point-blank shot that was again stonewalled by the Scottie keeper.
A quiet first overtime gave way to a final push for a Scottie side which had dominated possession for a majority of the match. The Scotties finally got their first-year striker—Johnson—in space to the right side and she made the Panthers pay.
Sydni Perry (Evans, Ga.) scooped up a bouncing pass atop the 18-yard box and sent a ball out to the right, giving Johnson a chance to make a play. The forward beat two defenders to the ball before one-timing an off-balance shot into the left pocket, just under the hands of a diving Smith.
Celebration ensued as the Scottie bench ran onto the field to tackle the game-winner.
Smith made seven stops for the Panthers, while Cruz had to stop six attempts to record her third win of the year in net.
The Scotties head down to Wesleyan on Tuesday for another important conference tilt. LaGrange will look to rebound next Friday at home against Brevard.