Ross's goal lifts women's soccer in OT

Lara Ross’s game-winning goal was more than just a score.

The freshman defender’s goal came in the final two minutes of the IU women’s soccer team’s victory against visiting Western Michigan in a 130-minute, two-overtime contest on Wednesday.

The Hoosiers (3-1), playing their first home game of the season, did not see any signs of victory until Ross nailed a corner kick into the Broncos’ goal.

“It’s definitely a team effort thing that gets us this win,” Ross said after the game. “It will boost our confidence in the upcoming games.”

Junior midfielder Devon Beach broke the game in the 30th minute for IU, but Western Michigan forward Stephanie Skowneski answered just three minutes after the Hoosiers’ goal.

Both teams exchanged shots and free kicks in the following minutes but failed to finalize the game before it went to overtime.

The winning goal occurred when junior forward Carly Samp delivered the inbound pass from sophomore forward Orianica Velasquez to Ross — who had been actively involved in the team offense since the second half — for an easy shot that put Broncos goalkeeper Julia Francy’s shutout effort in vain.

The Hoosiers play host to Nebraska at noon Saturday.