GAFFNEY, S.C. - Junior Marie Yasmine Alidou knocked in a pair of goals, headlined by the 101st-minute game-winner in double overtime, to propel Anderson University women's soccer to a key Southeast Region victory over previously unbeaten Limestone, 3-2, Wednesday evening at Saints Field.
With the victory, the Trojans extend their winning streak to three and improve to 8-1 on the season, while the Saints suffer their first setback on the year, dropping to an identical 8-1 overall mark. The win also gives AU its first triumph over Limestone since the 2009 Conference Carolinas Tournament and its first win over a regionally-ranked opponent this year.
The Trojans totaled 14 shots for the match, as Alidou, who came off the bench for the first time this season, paced the Black and Gold with four shots. Despite the victory, Anderson was out-shot for the first time this season, as the home side posted 17 shots.
Limestone struck first in the 22nd minute when Allie Winglosky and Megan O'Connor recorded an assist apiece on a Ciera Wall goal to give the Saints an early goal advantage. Wall's shot came from the left side of the Trojan box and eventually be the half's only goal.
Alidou brought the Trojans back in the 52nd minute when she grabbed a pass from the left side from defender Jacklyn Kubiak. With the ball at her feet, Alidou struck a 15-yard shot into the right corner to even the match 1-1. For Kubiak, the assist was her first of the season.
Limestone responded in the 70th minute and retook the lead from a corner kick. After the ball bounced around inside the AU box, O'Connor found an opening and handed the Saints another one-goal lead with her first goal and third point of the evening.
Facing its second deficit of the night, the Black and Gold needed just over four minutes for an answer, as freshman Kenzie Van Heusen found a wide-open Megan Foster inside the Limestone box and she pushed a shot into an empty net to even the score at 2-2. For Foster, the goal was her second of the season, as Van Heusen notched her fifth assist.
The equalizer would eventually send the match into extra time, marking the second straight match for the Trojans that would need more than 90 minutes.
After a scoreless opening overtime period, Alidou needed 16 seconds in the final period to give the visitors the victory. The Montreal, Canada native found space around the top of the LC box and fired a shot past Limestone's goalkeeper Mariette Martinez for the golden goal. The two goals for the evening jolted Alidou's season total to eight, as she ranks second on the team in points with 21.
"This team just keeps on going and provides energy when they look buried," Anderson head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "We were dominant at times, tonight, but didn't take our chances and we were nearly punished by a good Limestone team. We have been on the road for four games and getting that result is massive for our program. I couldn't be prouder of the entire group, including our coaches."
In goal, freshman goalkeeper Abby Helm posted a season-high nine saves, as she saw a season-high 17 shots. Helm's evening was highlighted by a six-save performance in the second half to help send the match into overtime. Helm's counterpart, Martinez, closed the match with three saves.
The Trojans look to extend their winning streak on Saturday when they return home to face South Atlantic Conference rival Carson-Newman. Kick-off from Trojan Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
