Women's soccer: Rock Valley takes advantage of OT chance at Harper

Entering Wednesday afternoon's game against No. 2-ranked Rock Valley College, the Harper women's soccer team was looking for its first win in three attempts against an opponent in Division III of the National Junior College Athletic Association national rankings.

And after the game, the Hawks were still looking. But they did find some positives in spite of a 1-0, double-overtime setback.

"I'm not happy we lost," said Harper coach Dwayne Cruz, "but I'm happy it was 0-0 (after 100 minutes)."

"It was a very well played game by both teams," Rock Valley coach Carrie Barker said. "Both teams were playing very hard."

Harper freshman Julia Morales tried her best to end it late in regulation, but another first-year player, RVC goalkeeper Madison Vicenio, kept the contest scoreless by making her best saves of the match in a two-shot sequence.

The visitors scored 5:30 into the second 10-minute OT sesson when Sarah Landerholm found herself on the end of what she called "a beautiful cross" that got past newly inserted keeper Jessica Puquirre.

"We happened to finish a very good opportunity," Barker said.

Cruz said it wouldn't surprise him if his group meets Rock Valley again in the upcoming Region IV tournament.

"It's hard to beat us three times in a year," Cruz said.