NEW ULM, Minn. - The situation looked bleak for MLC women's soccer less than 14 minutes into its opening match of UMAC play.
The Knights trailed Crown 3-0 after the Polars' Layla Kerr scored a hat trick in the first 13:23 of the match, including two goals in a 56-second span.
From that point on, MLC began fighting its way back into the match.
"I wasn't expecting to give up three goals right away, but I'm really proud of the team," coach
Tyson Zarnstorff said. "It's hard to go down three nothing and [then] tie up the game. They just fought to the very end."
It took all 90 minutes for the Knights to complete the unlikely comeback.
Anna Kramer scored on a pass from freshman
Allison Olson in the 21st minute. MLC would remain two goals behind until the final three minutes of the match.
In the 88th minute,
Katie Schoeneck found Olson open in the middle of the field and the freshman blasted a shot from about 25 yards out that went over the goalkeeper's head and into the goal.
Olson said the team was able to stay positive because of the excellent leadership.
"You see a lot of teams that are always yelling at each other when they're down, especially by three at the very beginning, but it's just having leaders that are always positive and making sure to encourage you," Olson said.
About two minutes later, Eva Vogel had her shot tipped over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, the ball ricocheted to
Heather Wendt, who placed the ball perfectly in the corner of the goal with her left foot, completing the comeback. It was MLC's only corner of the match.
"Most teams, once you get down that quickly, you just give up, but I think we're all good with encouraging each other on that field," Wendt said.
The Knights outshot Crown 21-6, including a 13-4 edge in shots on goal.
