Ashley Maxwell's game-winner 1:51 into overtime secured Park's 3-2 win over MidAmerica Nazarene at Julian Field.

Box Score

PARKVILLE, Mo. – Ashley Maxwell scored with 8:09 left in overtime Tuesday night, helping Park University defeat MidAmerica Nazarene University, 3-2, at Julian Field, saving a lot of “what-ifs” from sneaking into the postgame discussion.

Park (2-0-0) had fallen behind early in the game when MidAmerica Nazarene (0-1-0) went up 1-0 on Katie Williams’ goal off of Jamie Hertling’s corner kick, and the game went another 53:00 without a score, before Dana Hemmingsen pounded the ball into the back of the net, giving the Pirates a sigh of relief and a 1-1 tie with just under 30 minutes to play.

Hemmingsen later scored in the 78th minute, taking a pass from Chelsie Shepard to put Park on top, and a solid Park defense looked like it was going to carry the game for the remaining 12:00, but
MNU’s Alyssa Howard had other ideas.

Howard hustled after a final-minute deflection from Park keeper Monika Stoiber and scored with 25 seconds to play, lending new life to MNU in its season opener. Howard later had a chance to end it in overtime, but a key save by Stoiber enabled the Pirates to move down the field, and Maxwell finished the final 20 yards for her 32nd career goal and 11th game-winning goal in two-plus years at Park.

 “This was a test, no doubt about it,” said head coach Ken Hefner. “I thought we applied a lot of pressure and missed some opportunities. We had a bad couple of minutes and it could have cost us, but I liked the way we responded. We did today what we’ll have to do down the road when we get a test from a good opponent.”

Park kept the heat on MNU goal keeper Becca Skillman, recording 27 shots, eight of which were on frame, outshooting the Pioneers 27-10 and 8-6 in shots on goal.

Skillman had five saves in the match but recorded her first loss of the season, while Stoiber picked up her second win, stopping three shots and allowing a pair of scores. Park’s offense was led by Maxwell’s nine shots, two of which were on frame, while Hemmingsen took seven shots and put three on goal.

With the win, Park improved to 4-0 against MNU in the all-time series and became the first team in history between the two schools to record a come-from-behind victory.

Park will put its undefeated record on the line for a third-straight time at Julian Field Friday, kicking off against Midland Lutheran College at 6 p.m. The game can be followed live by visiting the Game Information Center, located on the front page at www.parkathletics.com.