Box Score Game Reaction: Lauren Cleope

ST. PAUL – Lauren Cleope (Manila, Philippines/Faith Academy) (Manila, Philippines/Faith Academy) earned hero status on Tuesday as she scored both of Northwestern College's goals in a 2-1 overtime victory over Hamline University at Reynolds Field. Cleope's header just 30 seconds into the first overtime period lifted the Eagles to their 10th win in the last 12 games.

After a scoreless first half, Brienne Garside scored an unassisted goal at the 60:53 mark to give Hamline a 1-0 lead.  Northwestern, who maintained possession for much of both periods, finally struck in the 79th minute, when Cleope headed in a pass from Maggie LaPlante (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) to even the score at 1-1.  The Eagles had an opportunity to win the game within the final 10 minutes of regulation, but Pipers goalkeeper Molly Jacobs made a great save on a shot from Rebecca Carrizales (Anoka, Minn./PACT Charter) within five yards of the goal line to send the end result into extra innings.

The overtime period didn't last long, as Heidi Anderson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Walnut Ridge Academy) (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Walnut Ridge) sent a long ball into the box and swinging the door wide open for Cleope to head in another shot, this time the game-winner.

Hamline owned a 15-12 advantage in shots throughout the 90-plus minutes. Northwestern got 10 shots on goal throughout the game, four from Cleope alone.  Tara Hanson (Andover, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) (Andover, Minn./Meadow Creek) had six saves to earn the victory for the Eagles, who improve to 10-4-1 overall.

NWC will face a big test in the University of Minnesota Morris on Thursday after the Eagles posted a 3-2 come-from-behind victory against the Cougars earlier this year at Mounds View High School against one of their conference rivals.  Northwestern will head west to face Morris on its home turf with a start time slated for 1:30 p.m.