KEAAU, Hawai`i—They say nothing in life is free, but Concordia's Isabella Angotti-Jones has the free kick thing figured out.
Angotti-Jones drilled a free kick to tie the match with 25 seconds left in regulation, and then assisted on another free ball in the second overtime to send the visiting Eagles to a stunning 2-1 victory over Hawaii Hilo in women soccer action on Thursday night at Paiea Stadium.
The victory evened Concordia's Pacific West Conference record at 2-2, and they improved to 4-5-1 overall. The loss was the first of the season for the Vulcans in conference play, snapping a five-match winning streak. UH Hilo dropped to 3-1-1 in the PWC and they are now 6-2-2 in 2018.
Angotti-Jones' free kick in overtime was a laser from 40 yards out, that Concordia's Emma Lyon got a piece of to push into the net—in the 116
th minute. That brought an improbable end to a match that UH Hilo seemingly had won heading into the final minute of regulation.
On a free kick with just 26 seconds left on the clock, Angotti-Jones, set up on the right side at the 20-yard line, sent a bullet over everyone. UH Hilo goalkeeper
Bailey Cahill leaped, but the shot went over her head and into the net to tie the physical match at 1-1.
Earlier,
Carlie Reader's goal in the 67
th minute came somewhat unexpected in a match that featured ONE total shot by either team in the first half.
In the second half, the senior chased down a ball, running away from the goal on the very outer right corner of the box. She planted, spun and sent a high arching shot back over the head of Concordia goalkeeper Kaelyn Whitcomb, into the far left corner of the net.
That goal opened up the offense for both teams, as the shot opportunities increased. Still, it looked like the Vulcans would walk away with the win in regulation, until Concordia's Angotti-Jones changed the course of the evening.
In the first overtime, most of the action was on the Concordia offensive end and the Eagles had the one shot of the ten minutes—a header that went wide.
The match looked headed to a 1-1 deadlock with four minutes left in the second overtime, until Angotti-Jones and Lyon ended the night.
Concordia ended up with six shots on the night, four of them on goal. The Vulcans had eight shots, five of them on goal. Whitcomb had four saves in a winning effort.
The Vulcans will play the second of four straight matches at home on Tuesday night (Oct. 16) against Biola. Start time will be 7 p.m.
