Hattiesburg, MS- Aimi Beresford goal in the 107th minute of play lifted the Lady Crusaders of William Carey past the visiting Oklahoma City University Lady Stars 3-2 in the opening round of the 2008 NAIA National Tournament.

The Lady Crusaders back four defenders did an outstanding job keeping Lady Star's scoring sensation Caroline Dixon in check for much of the half but Dixon finally found a way to impact the first half of play as she found a streaking Stephanie Pena who knocked home the tying goal in the 38th minute of play.

With things tied 1-1 in the 61st minute All-GCAC midfielder Natalia Nino found Karina Almendarez open in the box and Almendarez capitalized to put Carey up 2-1. Carey maintained that advantage until the 76th minute when Dixon made Carey pay for a costly mistake. A handball in the box by the Lady Crusaders allowed Dixon to knock in a penalty kick to even the game once again.

Both defenses tightened in the games final minute and the first overtime period. In the second overtime, Carey attacked early and often but the Lady Stars refused to bend until the 107th minute as Jeana Erickson found Beresford on a throw in for the game winning goal.

"Wow what a game," said Carey head coach Danny Owens. "We talked extensively this past week about mental toughness and the girls showed it today. They were able to focus for the entire game, every player kept their composure and focus. Oklahoma City is a great team, I thought our girls did an excellent job executing the game plan especially our back four (Phillips, Stewart, H. Johnson, Doyle)," added Owens.
 

The Lady Crusaders move into the sweet sixteen and will take on host Embry Riddle University (FL) on December 2nd.