NEWBERG, Ore. - After setting a school record with eight overtime games in 2011, the 2012 George Fox University women's soccer team picked up right where it left off last season by dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker in overtime to the visiting Oregon Institute of Technology Owls in the Bruins' season opener Saturday evening here at the Austin Sports Complex.

After battling to a scoreless deadlock for over 98 minutes, the Owls finally found an opening when Rebekah Nisbet directed a pass from the top to the right side of the box, where Veronica Steward launched a liner to the far left corner of the net at the 98:47 mark.  It was Steward's first goal of the season as the Owls evened their record at 1-1.

George Fox had two corner kick opportunities in the first seven minutes of the game but could not capitalize, and the teams played on even terms the rest of the half, with five shots and three fouls apiece.  The Owls out-shot the Bruins 7-4 in the second period and had the only on-goal shot of overtime, which was all they needed.  Tech finished with a 13-9 overall advantage in shots and 6-4 in shots on goal.  Hayley Smith had six shots to lead the Owls, while Esther Harder took four tries at a score for the Bruins. 

George Fox had three corners to two for Tech, and committed 12 fouls to the Owls' four.  The Bruins played the game without two of their All-Northwest Conference stars, First Team forward Melanie Gaither and Second Team defender Corin Beaudry, who are both nursing minor injuries but hope to be back by next week.

All-NWC honorable mention keeper Alyssa Montero recorded five saves for the Bruins but suffered the hard-luck setback.  Rebekah Matteri got the win for OIT with four saves in posting the shutout.

NEXT:  George Fox visits Northwest Christian University, an NAIA team from the Cascade Collegiate Conference, in a non-league match Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Eugene, Ore. ... Oregon Tech visits Simpson University in Redding, Calif., Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.