GEORGETOWN, Texas — Hours after the SCAC named Samantha Hazen its offensive player of the week, the freshman forward delivered on a penalty kick with 18 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Southwestern women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. 

"We've been working one game at a time. This win shows a lot of fight and character for our very young team," Southwestern Head Women's Soccer Coach Linda Hamilton says. "We have a lot to do, but having a team as good as [the Crusaders] to compete with is something that we are very excited about at this point. And to have a victory over a perennial powerhouse shows excellent promise for our young team moving forward." 

In a physical, tightly contested game, Southwestern got brilliant performances from its defense, with senior team captain Sam Davis and sophomore goalkeeper Johnna Campbell producing spectacular individual plays in big moments. 

Davis was everywhere in the first half, almost single-handedly breaking up counters and attacks before they could develop into threatening situations. 

"We're a young team, but we're very fortunate to have a lot of experience in our backline," Hamilton says. "Having two seniors captains anchoring our defense really helps solidify us in the back and allows our team to gain confidence as we get into the attack."

Mary Hardin-Baylor broke through the backline in the second half but could not get the ball past Campbell, who made a series of spectacular leaping and diving stops, finishing with six saves, including five in the second half. 

"The shutout is absolutely due to Johnna and the saves that she made," Hamilton exclaims. "They were coming at us, and Johnna gave us the chance to win in overtime."

Neither team generated many opportunities in overtime. Southwestern got two shots off, but neither on goal, and there was no corner kicks either way. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Mia Summers had a breakaway to the left side until a Mary Hardin-Baylor defender caught up to knock the ball out of bounds with an errant handball, setting up the penalty kick with 18 seconds remaining. 

UMHB keeper Reagan Williams dove to her right but could not stop Hazen's shot, giving the freshman one goal in each of Southwestern's three games. 

"It's not about age. Samantha is a goal-scorer. She already showed in our previous match she has good composure in these situations," Hamilton says. "My team captain told her she was going to take it, and she was ready to make the most of it." 

Southwestern improves to 3-0 this season, dropping Mary Hardin-Baylor to 1-1. The Pirates will host McMurry (1-1) on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 5:00 p.m.

For more SU Pirate photos, please see Carlos Barron Photography