Oct. 16, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Boilermakers won their second-straight one-goal game Sunday with a 2-1 double overtime victory at Northwestern. Lauren Sesselmann provided the game-winner off an assist from Rebecca Robison in the 102nd minute.
Northwestern goalkeeper Whitney Jones frustrated the Boilermaker attackers for most of the match, but couldn't make the one save that would have kept her team's slim playoff hopes alive.
Robison set up the game-winner just outside the six-yard box, heading the ball over to Sesselmann, who one-timed the ball into the right side of the net. Jones, who entered the second overtime with five saves, dove right but her fingertips were not long enough to stop the ball.
The goal was the 32nd of Sesselmann's collegiate career, breaking Annette Kent's previous varsity record of 31.
The win raised Purdue's overall record to 10-5 and 6-1 in the Big Ten. Only twice in the program's eight years have the Boilermakers won six conference games; the team went 6-2-2 in 2003 and 6-3-1 in 2002. With the loss, Northwestern dropped to 8-7-1 and 1-6-1 in conference play.
The victory was Purdue's first ever in double overtime, and was its first overtime win since beating Oakland, 4-3, in 2002. Also prior to Sunday's triumph, Purdue had not beaten the Wildcats since Oct. 4, 2002.
But this win almost wasn't, as the start of the first overtime was eerily reminiscient of Purdue's last OT match four weeks ago at Penn State. The Wildcats were given a corner kick just 40 seconds into the thrid period, but Jessica Okoroafo came through with a team save, knocking back a Krystal Patterson shot taken a foot in front of the goal stripe.
The Boilermakers had their chances to end the game in the first OT, but Robison had a breakaway derailed by a NW defensive back, and her cross was caught on the fly by Jones. A free kick taken by Kim Comisar with a minute left was headed out by Kelsey Hans.
Northwestern did not create much of an attack in either overtime, but were hungry to score after Parrissa Eyorokon put Purdue on the board first with a goal in the 63rd minute.
The sophomore midfielder created her own score, her third in the last three games, maneuvering around a NW defender in the goal box before burying the ball into the right corner.
The 'Cats stepped up their attack and received the equalizer with 3:44 left in regulation on a goal from Jeanette Lorme. Patterson was credited with the assist after slotting the ball over to Lorme, who rainbowed her shot into the upper right corner over Lauren Mason's shoulder.
NW had two more chances to end the match in regulation, but a corner kick was cleared out by the Boilermaker defense and Mason dove to stop a last-second header by Patterson.
Mason finished the match with seven saves, matching a season high. Her defensive teammates also were credited with a pair of team saves.
Purdue and Northwestern played a scoreless first period, 45 minutes which included too many midfield turnovers and too few shots. Purdue placed two of its three shots on goal, both of which were recorded in the match's opening minutes. Jones made a diving save of a Okoroafo shot, then caught a Jordyn Shaffer blast in the jersey numbers.
Later in the half, Purdue was given consecutive chances to convert off a direct free kick and corner kick, but both balls sailed too high over their intended targets.
Defensively in the first half, Purdue experienced more of the same luck that helped it against Wisconsin Friday night; the Wildcats had plenty of great looks at the net, but could not finish. The 'Cats were presented with back-to-back corners starting in the 32nd minute, but the first was cleared out and the second resulted in a header by Julie Lipinski, which was saved off the goal line by a Boilermaker defender.
Good defensive plays were also made in the first half by Comisar and Shaffer. Comisar chased down Alex Covington on a breakaway, and later Shaffer headed out a Covington cross from the left side intended for Hans. Patterson launched a sharp diagonal from deep in the right corner, but crossed the face of the goal instead of hooking into the net.
Northwestern continued its attack to start the second period, but again the Boilermakers had a bit of luck of their side. The 'Cats began with a breakaway attempt by Patterson, who found her way into a tug of war with Mason near the end line. Patterson wrestled the ball away from the Purdue keeper and kicked it back to the middle, but none of her teammates were there to capitalize. Hans eventually got a foot on the ball, but her shot tailed wide left.
Purdue returns home for the final time this regular season, playing host to Iowa (Oct. 21) and Illinois (Oct. 23). The Boilermaker senior class of Jayme-Lee Biamonte, Shannon Bradbury, Comisar, Chelsea Ferrie and Sesselmann will be recognized during pregame ceremonies prior to kickoff with Illinois.