It was a overtime thriller as the Howard Payne University Lady Jacket soccer team beat out Wayland Baptist 3-2 on a Leslie Jones golden goal in the 96 minute.

The HPU women had a 2-0 lead entering the half. The goals came from Melinda Dickens at the 29th minute and Rebecca Lamar in the 37th minute. Assists were from Kelci Thomas and Jamie Tish.

The lead dwindled quick as Wayland Baptist answered back with two quick goals midway through the second half. Both came within 11 minutes of each other, in the 54th and 65th minutes, tying the game at 2-2 to force overtime.
With the golden goal rule in place, whoever scored first, won. Leslie Jones of HPU would take the honors with an assist from Jordyn Stephens in the box just 6 minutes into the overtime. She would finish with a goal into the top right corner of the goal to nab the first win of the year for the Lady Jackets.

HPU had 6 corners to Wayland’s none. HPU also won the shots on goal battle, 10-8.

Allison Harp started at goal for the Lady Jackets and had 4 saves before leaving the game in the 81 minute. Adrienne Walker would step in after that and get 2 saves of her own playing the final 16 minutes of the game.

The Lady Jackets are now 1-1-1 on the season, while Wayland Baptist sits at 1-2-0.

The next game kicks off American Southwest Conference play as HPU takes on East Texas Baptist University at 2:00pm Friday, Sept. 17 on the road in Marshall, Texas.