With just one minute and ten seconds left in the second overtime period, Emory University's Lauren Smith broke a 1-1 tie with her first-career 'golden goal,' giving the Eagles a 2-1 win over Lee University in the squad's season-opening match.
Smith, a senior, scored the goal off a break-away, following a pass from senior Emily Rubin, who earned the assist for her efforts. A step ahead of her defender, Smith launched the shot into the upper right corner of the net to give the Eagles the victory.
The 'golden goal' was the first in a season-opening game by an Emory player in the history of the women's soccer program. It was also the first sudden death overtime game-winning goal for the Eagles since Caroline Coates scored one against Birmingham Southern College on September 22, 2009.
The goal gave Emory a hard-fought win against a tough opponent. After winning the NAIA championship in 2008 and 2009, Lee opened the 2010 season as the Association's top-ranked team. The loss was just Lee's second over the last two seasons.
Emory was the first to strike in the game, as freshman Lauren Gorodetsky took a shot in the 28th minute that deflected off a defender for the Lady Flames and into the goal. She became the first Eagle freshman to score a goal in a season opener since Jillian Brady accomplished the feat in 2005.
The Lady Flames would even the game in the 31st minute, as NAIA all-America Jamie Achten struck with her second goal in as many games this season to tie the match. The game would remain tied throughout the rest of regulation and the majority of the two overtime periods, before Smith's goal ended the contest.
Emory sophomore goalkeepers Erica Stein and Kaele Leonard would split the game in goal. Stein played the majority of the contest, logging 63 minutes and making two saves while allowing one goal. However, it was Leonard, appearing in her first regular season collegiate game, who earned the victory with over 45 minutes in goal and three saves. One of Leonard's saves came from a point-blank shot from Ode Fulutudilu in the 101st minute of the game, to keep the game alive.
Emory was outshot in the game 11-9, but played even in shots with Lee throughout the second half and overtime periods, as each team registered six shots during that time period. Lee held a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal during the game.
With the win, Emory raised its record to 1-0-0, while Lee dropped to 1-1-0. Emory is now 19-4-2 all time in season opening games, and 21-2-2 all time in home openers.
Emory will now turn its attention towards this weekend's Roanoke College Invitational, where Emory will face Roanoke College at 11:00 AM on Saturday, and fourth-ranked Lynchburg College at 12:00 PM on Sunday.