PORTALES, N.M. --- A penalty kick one and a half minutes into the second overtime period provided the difference in Eastern New Mexico's 1-0 victory over the Wayland Baptist women in soccer action on Tuesday afternoon.
ENMU's Emily Simon put home the game-winner at the 101:31 mark of the game after WBU was called for a trip in the box.
"I don't have a problem with the call," said a disappointed Shiloh Posey after the game. "It was such a hard-fought game. I just hate for our girls that it had to end that way.
"Eastern is a very disciplined, very skilled team, and they moved the ball very well. Our girls played their hearts out the entire 102 minutes. They showed today that they don't know how to quit, and I'm so proud of them. It was a heart-breaking loss, but the girls are strong and will come back. "
The Zias outshot the Pioneers 16-4. Sarah Castro and Zoe Benson had the only two shots on the net for the Wayland women. Junior goalkeeper Courtney Chambers made six saves, three of which Posey described as "really tough saves that kept us in the game."
Posey said his team had a couple of good chances to score, one in particular when a corner kick took an unfortunate bounce and hit a Pioneer in the hand.
"In a lot of ways, this game was a reality check for the girls. It showed them how tough they are going to have to be from here on out with the start of conference right around the corner. "
The Wayland women, who are now 5-2 on the season, have eight days off before the Sooner Athletic Conference season gets underway.
"The time off will help us get prepared for the next step forward," added Posey. "The girls are looking forward to it. They now know that they can compete well in conference."
First up for the Pioneers in the SAC race is the long road trip that features Rogers State and John Brown University. WBU takes on Rogers on Thursday evening, Sept. 29 in Claremore, Okla. and then travels to Siloam Springs, Ark. for a match-up with JBU on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 1.
