MESA, Ariz. --- The Park University Gilbert women's soccer team (4-3-0, 2-0-0) defeated the Benedictine University Mesa Redhawks by a score of 3-2, Tuesday evening at ASU Polytechnic in Mesa, Ariz.
For the first time in program history, the Buccaneers have started conference play with a 2-0-0 record. The Buccaneers got their second consecutive win in a thrilling fashion, as a header from junior forward Yadira Bernal broke the game's 2-2 tie in the 87th minute of play.
Park-Gilbert jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and held onto a 2-1 lead going into the halftime break. Freshman forward Kalei Ganotisi netted her fourth goal of the year in the 17th minute, and senior forward Lauren Runnion scored her seventh goal of the season in the 24th minute. Sophomore forward Mikenzie Kulish picked up the assist on both goals.
BENU wasted no time tying things up in the second half, as they scored the equalizer in the 46th minute.
Bernal, who was playing in just her third game this year, got her second goal of the season and the game-winner off an assist from senior forward Megan O'Neill.
This exciting match had shades of the previous meeting between these two teams. Last year on Halloween, the Bucs pulled off a late 3-goal comeback after staring down an 0-2 deficit with under six minutes remaining.
Offense won the day as both the Bucs and Redhawks combined for 30 shots (Park 18 BENU 12).
The Buccaneers return to the pitch this Thursday, Sept. 18 at 5:00 p.m. MST, when they host the Arizona Christian University Firestorm at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.
