HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College and Southern Oregon both came into Friday's women's soccer match undefeated and if fans thought it would be an exciting match, they weren't disappointed.  The Saints prevailed 1-0 on an overtime penalty-kick goal from Natalie Johnston, the first goal SOU has given up in conference play this season.
 
Just over half way into the first overtime, a Carroll corner kick rattled around the box before going out to Johnston on the edge of the box. She sent the ball right into an SOU defender who turned to deflect the shot but caught the ball with her hand. A handball was called in the box awarding a PK to Carroll and Johnston buried the ball to the left post just outside the outstretched hands of the SOU goalkeeper.
 
"To be honest, I just remember setting up for my shot," said Johnston. "After that, it was kind of a blur. Then I just remember looking in and it was going in on the side post. It is an unreal feeling. Just super special. And to be an undefeated team is awesome."
 
Johnston's heroics came on senior day where she and seven teammates were honored for their time at Carroll. The emotions of senior day often cause teams to struggle and it was no different Friday.
 
The Saints gave up four shots and allowed SOU a pair of corner kicks in the first 13 minutes of the match before settling into the game.
 
"You know, their first five minutes scared me," head coach Dave Thorvilson said. "And part of that's Senior Day and emotions and everything else. They're a good team and they wanted to win, but we settled down, relaxed, started playing, and it turned into a game that was between the two 18s where each keeper had to make a few saves."
 
Carroll outshot SOU 11-10 with a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Saints also notched a 5-4 advantage on corner kicks.
 
The weekend was one with seniors stepping up. Goalkeeper Jamie Carter notched shut outs in both matches, Thursday's game-winner came from Cassidy Hammons to accompany Johnston's game-winner Friday.
 
"This group of seniors, all eight of them, have had a tremendous impact on the program over their four years. And to see them finish the regular season against such a quality team and come out with a win kind of sums up their careers. And really, I hope this now gets us focused for what we need to do in postseason play and hopefully a chance to go back to the national tournament."
 
The Saints now play the waiting game. Carroll is the lone undefeated team in the conference but three ties on their resume still gives SOU control of their own destiny with three matches remaining. Carroll hopes to see SOU drop one of those final three or notch two ties.
 
Carroll on the other hand has the conference bye week to close out the season which means they will next be in action on Nov. 4, at the Cascade Tournament in Springfield, Ore., with an opponent yet to be determined.