HELENA, Mont. – In 24 tries since the program started in 2006, Lady Argo soccer had lost to the Carroll College Fighting Saints 23 times with 1 tie in 2015. That streak came to the end in dramatic fashion with sophomore forward Eme McLaughlin scoring a game winner double overtime to give the University of Providence a 2-1 (2OT) win.
 
Both of UP's two goals were both clutch and timely. The Lady Argos trailed 1-0 with less than 10 minutes left in regulation and then received an equalizer from junior forward Malena Lennon in the 83rd minute. Then, less than a minute into the second overtime period, McLaughlin got on the end of a cross from senior defender Sandralee DeVille and one-touched it home for a historic win.
 
"Our girls are just really gritty and they work hard. They've been opportunistic and this year, we've really done a good job of capitalizing on good looks." Head Coach Brian Clarke said. "All the credit goes to them and they're work rate and never-say-die attitude. They're on cloud nine right now."
 
While the end of the game was exciting, the first half was largely uneventful. Both teams had stretches of solid possession, but neither was able to turn that time with the ball into meaningful scoring chances. In those first 45 minutes, only 3 shots were game. The first shot of the game didn't come until the 14th minute, and the Lady Argo's first shot came from McLaughlin in the 28th minute.
 
A more effective Fighting Saint's offensive took the field to start the second half and the difference was immediately obvious. Carroll forced the game's first save in the 60th minute with a shot on goal that Lady Argo goalkeeper Dakota Neumann was able to get it.
 
Carroll's effort four minutes later was harder to stop. A cross into the penalty box found CC's Brynn Walker who placed the ball well enough in the corner that Neumann didn't have a chance.
 
The game slipped back into the same dull patience of the first half for the next 20 minutes with each team getting just one shot apiece.
 
That all changed in the 83rd minute, with UP working the ball down the left sideline and finding McLaughlin running with space towards the Carroll end line. The sophomore played a centering ball from 15 yards out on the left sideline to Lennon who was running onto it right in from of the near post and about 10 yards out.
 
Lennon and a Carroll defender go there at the same time, but the Lady Argo was the one who got her foot on it and redirected the hard pass right between the Saint's goalkeeper and the near post to tie the game at 1-1.
Carroll got a decent look to win the game in the 89th minute, but Neumann was there to make sure the game went into overtime.
 
In the 92nd minute, the Lady Argos were given the game but didn't take it. A Carroll foul inside the penalty box set up a potential game winning penalty kick. Junior midfielder Sydney Knieriem was UP's choice to take the kick, a logical choice since she scored a game winner on a set piece from 40 yards out the previous weekend. It didn't go as well this time, as Knieriem failed to put the ball on frame and the game continued.
 
McLaughlin also had a chance to end the game in the first overtime, getting a shot on goal from 10 yards out less than a minute later.
 
The second half didn't last lost. Carroll took the opening kick but the Lady Argos quickly won the ball and swung it to the right side of the field. Senior right back Sandralee DeVille made contact with an arching ball from right along the right sideline and 50 yards out that first hit the ground 25 yards out toward the center of the field.
 
DeVille's pass was intended for McLaughlin, but it looked like a Carroll defender recovering towards the center from the opposite side of the field would get to the ball first. As the ball bounced a second time, it went passed that defender untouched and McLaughlin ran around her to meet the ball from 12 yards out with a one-touch left-footed strike that beat the Saint's keeper.
 
McLaughlin now has 6 goals on the season, including 3 game winners. Lennon's goal gives her 2 on the year. Before the game, UP had scored just 5 times in its previous 24 games against Carroll.
 
The win was not only a historic win against a rival but also gives the Lady Argos a huge 3 points towards the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings. UP is now tied for seventh in the conference with 12 points and a record of 5-6 (4-3). The top eight teams in the standings at the end of the year make the CCC playoffs.
 
Next, for the Lady Argos will be the team's final weekend of home games, starting Evergreen State College on October 20 at 1 p.m. on Argo Field.