CASTLETON, Vt. – For the first time this season, Castleton women's soccer entered overtime in their quarterfinal matchup against Eastern Connecticut Tuesday night. And under the lights of Dave Wolk Stadium, it was Alexis Billings' score from 25 yards out with 20 seconds left in the first overtime period that lifted the Spartans to a drama-filled 2-1 victory over the Warriors.
 
Eastern Connecticut created the game's first chance just three minutes into the contest when Briley Harnois found herself one-on-one against Alex Benfatti, but the senior made a beautiful diving save to keep it scoreless. Benfatti looked strong in Tuesday's game, making five impressive saves to move her up to second on the Spartans' all-time saves list with 275.
 
With both sides locking down defensively, it appeared as though the game was going to enter the break level at zero, but the Warriors were able to get one past Benfatti at the 41:34 mark to put the Spartans down one at halftime.
 
Castleton responded almost immediately out of the break on Devyn Beliveau-Gale's first career goal. Rachel Medina sent a long ball in off a free kick that the senior got her head on. Her shot bounced in front of net and was misplayed by Eastern Connecticut's goalie, rolling into the net to make it a 1-1 game.
 
The Spartans looked poised to score again in the 59^th minute when a foul just outside the box resulted in a yellow card and red card for a pair of Warriors. While Castleton was unable to capitalize on the free kick, EastConn was then forced to play the remainder of the game down a player.
 
After the fouls, the offenses stalled and neither side was able to register another shot on net, bringing the game into overtime.
 
Playing with the man-advantage, the Spartans controlled much of the overtime period before Billings scored the eventual game-winner with 20 seconds in the first set of extra time. Taking the space given to her after a feed from Bella Varisco, the sophomore took the ball down the right sideline to the 15 yard line where she ripped a shot that soared over the goalie and into the far corner to give Castleton their first lead of the night.
 
Eastern Connecticut tried to respond in the second overtime period, tallying four corners in those 10 minutes alone, but none were able to get past Benfatti and the Castleton defense, with the final whistle clinching the 2-1 win and a third straight trip to the LEC semifinals for the Spartans.
 
Castleton will now face off against Southern Maine Thursday, November 3 with a shot at their first trip to the finals at stake. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.