JU women’s soccer had to play 93 minutes to record its first win of the season, 2-1, in dramatic fashion over Georgia Southern (0-5). The Dolphins (1-4) scored the winning goal in the third minute of overtime.

“We did a good job today and it’s great to get a result,” said head coach Brian Copham. “Both teams played really well and fought hard. We found some things that we need to work on but, again, we’re happy to get the win.”

The play in the opening few minutes was cagey with constant changes of possession.

In the 10th minute, freshman Candace Marshall took a header for GSU that floated over sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Rooney’s outstretched arms but struck the inside of the post and was cleared off the line by Regan Riley.

The Dolphins struck first for the second time this year when Becca Massip played a ball into the box to freshman Eva Leeper in the 25th minute. Leeper lobbed the ball over Missy Meyer’s head for her second goal of the season.

JU looked to score again in the 36th minute when Leeper intercepted a pass in the back line that was then taken by junior Liza Grimsgaard. Grimsgaard played the ball back to Leeper but she was called offside as she went in on goal.

The Dolphins’ continued to apply pressure in the second half with early shots from both Grimsgaard and juinior Emme Graham. The Eagles would respond to the pressure, however, when sophomore Kyrstin Smith beat Rooney to the far post but the shot went wide. Several minutes later, sophomore Sara Oland took a ball into the box after an advantage call but Rooney was again up to the challenge.

The Dolphins looked to strike again in the 75th minute off of a throw in the attacking third. Junior Jelena Vrcelj teed a ball up for Graham just outside the top of the box but her shot flew wide left.

JU nearly scored its second goal of the game on a great service from Becca Massip to Vrcelj whose header just missed the right post.

Georgia Southern tied the game in the 83rd minute when Kathleen Murphy delivered a corner into the box that was headed home past Ronney’s foot by Chelsea Kephard.

JU kept pushing for the winning goal in the last three minutes with a shot from Jessica Hurtado but her shot sailed high. A cross to Fink in the area was also denied when she was taken down by the goalie on her save. A last minute corner from the Dolphins also resulted in missed opportunity to send the match into overtime.

In the second minute of overtime, Hensley was brought down just outside the box and Hurtado took the free kick. She delivered a good looking cross that rattled around inside the six-yard box before junior Devon Dowell’s shot just rolled wide.

The next minute, Hensley drew another foul and Hurtado swung the ball into the box that was pushed into the back of the net by Dowell for the game winner.

The Dolphins are back on the road again next weekend as they travel to Mobile, Ala. to take on South Alabama and Jackson State.