HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Sami Rutowski's golden goal in the 97th minute lifted the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over Robert Morris University at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon in nonconference action.
 
With just over three minutes remaining in the extra time, Kelsey Laumann lobbed a service into the penalty box as both teams scrummed for the ball. Rutowski gathered the ball and sent it through the Robert Morris defense and past goalkeeper Chelsea de Jager to help NKU improve to 3-1-2 on the season.
 
"Sami works hard and just tries to find the ball wherever she is," NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said.  "If you ask her what happened, she will say that she just found the ball and tried to slide it in.  She was fighting for us in the final scrum, and she is just that kind of competitor for us.  We are very pleased with her performance."
 
Antonia Grese's third goal of the season opened the game's scoring in the 34th minute. Her shot found the lower right side of the net past NKU goalkeeper Brooke Schocker, giving the Colonials a 1-0 advantage that held through halftime.
 
The Norse put the pressure on the Colonials defense through the second half, creating several shot opportunities that came up just short.  Aubrey Muench gave NKU its first opportunity of the half, when she sent a shot by Becky Schoenecker, who started in goal for Robert Morris, but Muench was whistled offside as the ball crossed the goal line in the 66th minute.
 
Less than five minutes later, a shot from Laumann flew just over the crossbar before Rutowski and Muench had back-to-back chances stopped by Shoenecker in the 81st minute.
 
Katelyn Newton then scored the equalizer at the 82:23 mark.  Rutowski passed the ball to Laumann, who flipped the ball in the air to Newton.  Newton's header found the back of the net to bring the game even at 1-all and setting the stage for Rutowski's overtime goal.
 
"I think we did what we needed to do today to win," Sheehan said.  "I think that is a game we probably would have lost at this point last season or [in 2012].  Robert Morris had a couple chances early and took advantage of their opportunity in the first half, so we have to give them credit.  Overall, we are pleased that we worked really hard, competed the whole match and fought until the end to earn the victory."
 
NKU outshot Robert Morris by a 14-7 margin, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Norse created five corner kick opportunities to their opponent's three.  Rutowski finished with the game-winning goal and one assist, placing each of her two shot attempts on target, to pace the Norse offensive attack, while Newton and Muench each recorded three shots to lead the team.
 
Schocker earned her first win of the season for NKU after collecting two of the team's three saves.  Schoenecker recorded six saves before being replaced by de Jagger for Robert Morris, which fell to 1-5-1 on the season.
 
NKU concludes its three-game homestand on Wednesday when Butler visits the NKU Soccer Stadium for the first time as the Norse host Greek Night.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.  Links to live stats and the ASun.TV broadcast will be available at NKUNorse.com.