ARKADELPHIA, Ark. --
Gracie Holmes came off the bench and scored the go-ahead goal with 4:32 remaining Thursday night, lifting Northeastern State to a 2-1 victory over Ouachita at Kluck Field.
The true freshman's first collegiate goal proved to be the difference as the RiverHawks opened the season with a victory and extended their winning streak at Ouachita to eight straight matches.
With the score tied 1-1 late in the second half,
Annabella Trotter sent a cross from the left side into the box, where Holmes collected the rebound in front of the net and finished to give Northeastern State the lead in the 86th minute.
Ouachita immediately pushed forward looking for an equalizer, but Northeastern State goalkeeper
Juliette Langlet and the RiverHawks' defense held firm. The Tigers earned a corner kick less than a minute after Holmes' goal, followed by a pair of shots on target in the final four minutes. Langlet stopped Brookelyn Babb's shot in the 87th minute and made another save on McKenna Wright in the 90th minute. Ouachita earned another corner with 40 seconds remaining, but Northeastern State held on.
Northeastern State trailed 1-0 early after Wright converted a penalty kick in the seventh minute. The RiverHawks answered in the 18th minute when Trotter finished a pass from
Brooke Dodd to tie the match. Trotter's goal was the third of her career, while Dodd was credited with the assist.
The RiverHawks controlled much of the offensive pressure, finishing with a 23-19 advantage in shots and putting eight attempts on target. Langlet made six saves to earn the victory.
Holmes, who entered the match as a substitute in the first half, returned in the second half and delivered the decisive moment. Her goal, assisted by Trotter, gave Northeastern State its first lead of the night with less than five minutes remaining.
Northeastern State returns home Sunday, Aug. 30, to host Harding at 3 p.m.
