Barie sparks Eagles comeback against Saints
Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Jesalyn Skoglund (7) battles for the ball against St. Peter goalkeeper Morgan Rogers (in yellow) during a Big South Conference girls soccer match Tuesday at New Ulm High School.
Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Grace Barie lines up a shot during a Big South Conference girls soccer match against St. Peter Tuesday at New Ulm High School.
Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm's Marlena Kral dribbles the ball during a Big South Conference girls soccer game against St. Peter Tuesday at New Ulm High School.
Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Jesalyn Skoglund (7) battles for the ball against St. Peter goalkeeper Morgan Rogers (in yellow) during a Big South Conference girls soccer match Tuesday at New Ulm High School.
Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Grace Barie lines up a shot during a Big South Conference girls soccer match against St. Peter Tuesday at New Ulm High School.
Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm's Marlena Kral dribbles the ball during a Big South Conference girls soccer game against St. Peter Tuesday at New Ulm High School.
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NEW ULM -- In New Ulm's first 12 shots on goal on the day, none were able to crack through St. Peter goaltender Morgan Rogers' guard as the Eagles sat at a 1-0 deficit against the Saints with 15 minutes to play in a Big South Conference girls soccer match on Tuesday.
But the final three shots for New Ulm all hit their mark as the Eagles staged a comeback to finish with a strong 3-1 victory.
"I think there was a little incentive in the halftime speech," New Ulm head coach Jonathan Johnson said. "Once we got that first goal, you could see a complete change in the way they were playing. There was more snap in their passes and more pep in their step. That's what it took to get them ignited, and then they were on fire from there on."
Grace Barie's 25-yard strike sparked New Ulm's energy with under a quarter of the game to play as she tied the score in the 66th minute. Morgan Zimanski quickly followed that up with a goal assisted by Jesalyn Skoglund in the 68th minute, then Marlena Kral sealed the victory with another 25-yard score with under five minutes to play.
"It was persistent shooting, but it seemed like it took us a while to get dialed in -- and nothing against St. Peter's goalie, she's pretty darn good -- but it took us a while to get dialed in on where her weak spot was, and we exploited it three times," Johnson said.
Throughout the game, New Ulm outshot St. Peter 15-5, with goalkeeper Greta Berger earning four saves for the Eagles. But New Ulm didn't see the dividends of its hard work until Barie's goal.
"It was my first goal of the season," Barie said. "I've been struggling with my shooting, so it definitely was a pick up and we got our touches down and our shots up after that."
And when it rains, it pours.
"I think that my goal really got our spirits up and made us want the game," Barie said. "Once you get one goal, it really lights a spark in everyone. Then we really started connecting our passes and talking better."
St. Peter scored its goal in the 21st minute on a through ball to Lily Prunty as the Saints converted on their only shot of the first half. New Ulm had an open look from Skoglund in the 31st minute, but her shot was repelled by Rogers. Another Rogers save ruined a great crosser from Zimanski to Allie Nelson with three minutes left in the half.
Barie had a chance to tie it early in the second half, but once again Rogers nullified the attack. But Barie redeemed herself with her long shot with 14:15 to play, starting the onslaught that gave New Ulm the win.
New Ulm (5-1-2) faces Marshall at home on Thursday.