The relationship between Siena Heights women’s soccer team and Northwestern Ohio’s squad has evolved over the past few years.

Admittedly, at first Siena Heights feared UNOH with its unique roster that features almost all players from foreign countries and the advanced skills that come with growing up in a different style of play. The Saints would be incredibly nervous whenever facing this opponent and their challenging, European style of soccer.

“I think back to when we played them my freshman year, they had a fear factor over us. I remember genuinely being afraid to play against them. Our team gave them way too much respect,” said junior captain Lexi Gainer.

As the Saints continued to play UNOH throughout various scrimmages and season games, their attitudes shifted, as they started to become more effective against the Racers. The spirit of rivalry helps fire up the Saints also; the team has come in second place behind UNOH for the past two years.

“Now we can play with them. We don’t fear them anymore,” said Gainer.

With this new attitude, each game the Saints have played against UNOH have become more close and competitive.

On Oct. 26, Siena Heights was looking to finally taking the next step in its relationship with UNOH: beat them for the first time since 2013.

“After scrimmaging them in the spring and having a good result, I was excited to play them again. As a team we felt confident that we could play with them and have a good result,” said senior captain Gabi Corbin.

The game was as harrowing as one would expect from a matchup between these two very different teams. With heart and hard work, the Saints held off attack after attack from UNOH’s blistering ball movement. At times, Siena held possession and advanced on the Racers, who characteristically don’t provide high pressure. An early shot from midfielder Erin Scheidel seemed close to going in, but that was about as much offense as the Saints could produce.

Admittedly, UNOH controlled most of the game and the attack, but a solid SHU defense held them off with each drive. Siena’s back line only allowed four shots on net by the Racers and successfully defended eight corner kicks. Junior Samantha Bartelotti credits the effective defending, that came from every area on the field, to effective communication and being comfortable with UNOH passing around until the Saints could challenge and win the ball.

Neither team could produce a goal, so the game went into overtime.

The game-changing event happened at 90:36 when key defensemen and captain, Emily Burkman, was red carded and ejected from the game after she received her second yellow card. The Saints would have to play without the All-WHAC first team award winning defender and a man down, according to the rules.

Seven minutes later, UNOH found the back of the net after Camilla Anderson beat her defender in the box and shot the ball.

Despite the outcome, the Saints are still fired up to play UNOH in the post-season tournament.

“We may not have the fancy foot work like UNOH, but we have more heart and we work together more as a team,” said Gainer.