MONMOUTH, Ore. – With just two minutes left in regulation Saturday afternoon, Western Oregon University scored an equalizer in a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Montana State University Billings in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer match at the WOU Soccer Field.
 
Amanda Hemmen scored her first career goal off a free-kick assist by Alexa Iacolucci in the 23rd minute, and the Yellowjackets held a 1-0 lead until the closing minutes of the match. Meli Cortez punched home the late goal for the Wolves however, and neither team scored in the overtime periods.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-6-1, 0-2-1 GNAC) picked up their first point in conference play, as did the Wolves (1-5-1, 0-2-1 GNAC). "It was a hard-fought match and I am proud of the effort the team put in throughout the entirety of the game," said MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "Unfortunately, giving up the late equalizer will leave a bitter taste in our mouths. I thought we created great chances during the run of play, and it was awesome to see Amanda score her first career goal."

The 'Jackets dodged an early bullet, with Hemmen making a strong stop in the box with WOU on a breakaway towards goal.
 
Iacolucci helped set up the goal for MSUB, by getting fouled and earning a free kick near midfield. Her service into the box was well-placed, and Hemmen got on the other end of it to knock home her first career goal to make the score 1-0.
 
With just two minutes to go before the break, Erinn Harder came through with a diving save to push a shot by WOU's Alyssa Tomasini wide of the target. Harder finished with five saves in the match for the

'Jackets, matching her season high.
 
The 'Jackets held command at the break, despite taking just a pair of shots in the opening 45 minutes. Momentum shifted in the second half, with MSUB out-shooting WOU 9-5 for the remainder of regulation. Jordan Devoto led the Yellowjackets with three shots in the match, placing one on target.
 
Harder again came through with a diving denial late in the second half, pushing another header shot by Tomasini off the goal line.
 
Jessica Spang nearly made it 2-0 with eight minutes to play, but WOU keeper Caitlin Kastelic leapt up and blocked her left-footed shot that was headed for the upper corner of the net. Kastelic made a total of nine saves in the match, helping WOU stay in it and earn a point.
 
The Wolves stunned the 'Jackets with two minutes left in regulation, breaking through with a goal by Cortez on a pass by Dacia Alexander to pull even at 1-1.
 
Iacolucci came close to a golden goal at the start of the second overtime period, but Kastelic saved the day again to tip her 30-yard shot over the crossbar. Iacolucci and center back Kalin Sandow each played all 110 minutes, and Courteney Shovlin was instrumental defensively in 97 minutes on the pitch. "Credit needs to go to Courteney and Alexa, who were just a cut above today," said Cavallo.
 
Selene Konyn led the Wolves with four shots, landing one on frame. Defender Kai Mahuka played the full match for the Wolves, and Tomasini logged 100 minutes.
 
THE BUZZ: Hemmen was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…Spang made her first start of the year at forward…MSUB holds a 10-8-3 upper hand in the all-time series between the teams and is 3-5-2 in games played in Monmouth…MSUB maintained a five-game unbeaten streak against the Wolves.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjacket women begin a six-game home stand next week, hosting Northwest Nazarene University on Sept. 28 at 1:30 p.m., and No. 1 Western Washington University on Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. Live