Box Score Barta, battling around a Defiance College defender, managed to slip a shot into the Yellowjackets' net in the 106th minute, giving the Spartans a 1-0 double overtime victory. Freshman forward Bridgette Rowe (La Quinta, Calif.) got the play going with a sharp attempt from the right side that bounded off the keeper's hands and on to the foot of Barta.
"This is a good win for us," Coach Andy Stout said. "We needed to get some victories from teams ahead of us if we wanted to remain focused on a goal of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs.
"We just need to keep taking things one match at a time," he added.
Barta's second-overtime tally sent Defiance (7-4-3. 2-1-1 HCAC) to its first league loss. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Willmann (Montpelier, Ind.) played a key role as well with seven saves and 106 minutes and 56 seconds of scoreless goalkeeping to earn her sixth clean sheet of season and 11th of her career.
"Emily's a big match player," Stout said. "She knew how good Defiance was, just as our entire defense did. They were all ready to go."
Defiance owned a 21-10 shots advantage on the Black and Gold (5-5-3, 1-2-1 HCAC). Barta, junior midfielder Laura Jenkins (Sellersburg, Ind.) and sophomore midfielder Amber Kent (Fountaintown, Ind.) each ended with two tries apiece.
The Spartans resume their Homecoming Week 2012 schedule with a home meeting with Mt. St. Joseph Saturday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
