GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College women's soccer team started the 2017 season with an impressive first half of play Friday afternoon against the visiting Capital University Crusaders. Second-half action, however, moved in favor of the Crusaders, who eventually won the game, 1-0, in overtime.

Kenyon (0-1) had the better of possession time in the first 45 minutes and created four shots, compared to just a pair for the Crusaders. The Ladies' best scoring opportunity came within the game's first few minutes. Freshman Samantha Hayes broke loose, got into the Capital box and fired off a shot, but goalkeeper Hannah Klotzsche was in positon to make the save.

About seven minutes after that, Capital (1-0) had a great chance neutralized by a save from Kenyon goalkeeper Jillian Countey. Neither team created any significant scoring threats the rest of the half, resulting in a scoreless tie at the break.

Action in the offensive zones picked up in the second half. In the game's 58th minute, Kenyon junior Meredith Rogers had a breakaway down the left side. She loaded up a left-footed shot, but didn't get all of it, allowing Kelly Bachmann, who replaced Klotzsche, to make an easy save.

Fifty seconds later, Bachmann flubbed a kick out of the Crusaders' box. Kenyon senior Gillian Blackwell got to the miscue and immediately returned fire, however, her aim was off and the ball sailed well left of the intended target.

Those close calls put a charge in the Crusaders, who took over the game the rest of the way. They chalked up seven shots, including four by Jordan Fike, over the last 30 minutes of regulation. One of Fike's golden opportunities was saved, at close range, by Countey. One drifted wide right and the final two, which occurred during a mad scramble in the Kenyon box, were again stopped by Countey in the last three minutes of regulation.

In overtime, the game-winner was scored at the 96:08 mark. Capital's Caroline Hester collected a pass just past the midfield stripe, she drove to the right and then lofted a short pass to the top of the Kenyon box. Countey came out to meet the pass, but Capital's Carlee Murry beat her to the ball and chipped it over Countey's head and into the top left corner of the Ladies' net.

Capital out-shot Kenyon 17-9, while Klotzsche and Bachmann combined for three saves to preserve the shutout. At the other end of the field, Countey made six for the Ladies, who have one day off and then host Illinois Wesleyan University in a 1 p.m. Sunday game.