Women's Soccer | 10/31/2013 4:36:00 PM

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Western Oregon University women's soccer team used a golden goal from Allison Sprecher nine minutes into the first overtime period to grab a 3-2 come-from-behind win at Montana State Billings Thursday.

The Wolves (9-3-5, 7-3-3 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) are a win away from their fourth double-digit win season in program history. Western Oregon had to battle back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half for the victory. Montana State Billings became the second team this season to score multiple goals on the Wolves.

Sprecher's first goal of her collegiate career gave WOU the win. The freshman took advantage of a loose ball in front of the Yellowjacket net in the 99th minute and struck it in the right of the net. JoEllen DeLeon opened the scoring with a goal in the 32nd minute. The junior's shot deflected off the MSUB goalkeeper and found the back of the net.

Montana State Billings (5-8-2, 4-8-1 GNAC) equaled the match early in the second half. Heidi Greenback struck a ball that was just out of Amanda Rose Johnson's reach and tied the game at one in the 48th minute. Seven minutes later, Chelsea Shuman's shot from just outside the 18-yard box found the net to give MSUB a 2-1 advantage. Needing a goal for a tie, Makana Pundyke scored her ninth goal of the season on an unassisted strike in the 83rd minute.

Johnson made three saves in the game, while the Yellowjackets' Kaylee Kimmet did the same. In a tightly contested match, WOU finished with 10 shots to MSU Billings' seven. The Wolves placed six on goal, and MSUB had five.

Saturday, the Wolves honor Rachel Crawford, Melissa Gonzalez, Rebecca Holiand, and Kelsey Lindsey, who will all be playing their final games at WOU. Western Oregon welcomes Saint Martin's for its final home game of the season, and final game of the regular season. The Saints (4-12-0, 3-10-0) are currently sixth in the GNAC standings. SMU enters the week after dropping three straight one-goal decisions. Saint Martin's has lost six of its last seven contests.

Crawford has been a key component in the Western Oregon defensive success. After transferring from North Idaho College last season, she has appeared in 27 games for the Wolves, starting all 16 this season. The Community Health Education major boasts a 3.70 GPA and was named Academic All-Conference this season.

Gonzalez was also named Academic All-Conference. The Exercise Science major has a 3.37 GPA. Another key to Wolves' defense, she has appeared in 27 games, starting in 25, since transferring from East Los Angeles Community College.

Western Oregon graduates another member of its defense in Hoiland. The senior is a three-time Academic All-Conference recipient and has a 3.51 GPA. The Exercise Science major from West Linn played a major role in the team's program-record breaking 11 shutouts this season. She has started in 64 of the 65 games she has played in since her freshman season.

Lindsey will be in her final game with the Wolves. She has appeared in eight games with Western Oregon. The goalkeeper was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week earlier this season, after recording a 2-0 shutout win in the net over Holy Names. She made a career-high seven saves in the contest.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Saturday's WOU soccer and volleyball matches. Both contests will be honoring breast cancer awareness, with soccer beginning at 1 p.m. and volleyball starting at 7 p.m.