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ELLENSBURG (Sept. 28) -- Sophomore Lauren Duty (Black Diamond/Tahoma HS) scored the game-winning goal with just over three minutes remaining in the first overtime, helping the Central Washington University women's soccer team cap a comeback and defeat visiting Montana State University Billings, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at the CWU Soccer Field.

"I am really proud of our girls because they stuck with the game plan and battled back as the game went on," CWU head coach Michael Farrand said. "We actually got better as the game went on, and we certainly created enough chances in the second half to get us back in the game."

Duty's second goal of the season, which came at the 97th minute, enabled the Wildcats to finish their first home stand of the season with a 3-1-0 record -- all in Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches. CWU is now 4-3-0 overall (3-1-0 GNAC), while MSU Billings fell to 2-3-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the conference.

Duty's shot attempt was the only try in the overtime period for either team. Dribbling toward the Yellowjacket goal, she launched a right-footed shot from 20 yards away that bounced off the head of a MSUB defender and into the goal, sneaking past keeper Kaylee Kimmet for the game-winner.

CWU fell behind, 1-0, just 25 seconds into the contest. The first shot of the game by Montana State Billings' Alisa Sagdahl from the left side of the field beat Wildcat goalkeeper Kayla Lipston (Jr., Federal Way/Decatur HS).

Six minutes later, Sagdahl and Lipston collided on a play in front of the goal, with the MSUB forward leaving the game due to injury. Then, less than 30 seconds later, Lipston suffered an injury after colliding with a Yellowjacket defender on an incoming corner kick, but the CWU keeper remained in the game for another 20 minutes before being relieved by sophomore Amanda White (Maple Valley/Tahoma HS).

"Amanda stepped it up for us when we lost Kayla and she played solidly," Farrand said, "especially because she hasn't had a start since last year. It's a big deal, and I certainly appreciate her courage and her ability to 'game up' and play well."

CWU finished the first half as the more aggressive team on the attack -- a sign of things to come for the duration of the contest -- but the Wildcats were unable to find the goal in the opening 45 minutes and trailed 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, the Wildcats kept the pressure on Kimmet and the Yellowjackets. After several attempts missed high, wide, or were blocked, junior Savanna Moorehouse (Bonney Lake) scored the equalizer with just under 20 minutes remaining, taking a pass from senior defender Tarah Duty (Black Diamond/Tahoma HS) and beating Kimmet at the 71st minute to make it a 1-1 tie.

CWU then had several point-blank attempts that were saved the rest of the way in regulation, and despite a 16-4 edge for the Wildcats in second-half shots, the score remained tied headed into overtime.

In the extra period -- the second such contest of the year for CWU -- neither team had much of a productive attack until Duty's game-winning shot with 3:40 left in the first overtime.

The Wildcats finished the match with a 24-9 edge in shot attempts, marking the third time this season they have totaled 20 or more shots and posting the highest single-match total since October 23, 2011, against Saint Martin's. Moorehouse and junior Hadli Farrand (Ellensburg) were responsible for a combined 13 shot attempts, including seven by Farrand, who led all players with three shots on goal.

White made three saves and did not allow a goal in 70 minutes of action, earning her first collegiate victory in her third career appearance.

Ashely Marra was one of three Yellowjacket players with two shot attempts each, with both of her tries being on goal.

CWU will now return to the road for consecutive matches, visiting Simon Fraser University and Western Washington University next Thursday (Oct. 3) and Saturday (Oct. 5), respectively. The Wildcats' next home match is Oct. 10 versus Seattle Pacific University.