In the latest episode of a great MIAC women’s soccer rivalry, the St. Benedict Blazers held the Scots to a 1-1 tie at Macalester Stadium last Friday.

Annie Borton ’06 scored in the 81st minute, but Erin Doyle equalized for St. Ben’s only a minute later. The Scots dominated the game, and only a tremendous last-minute effort from the Blazers’ keeper Amanda Broadbent ensured an end to Macalester’s season-long MIAC winning streak.

The highly anticipated game started off slowly, with some physical play in midfield. The Blazers, MIAC conference winners last year, employed a stifling defense, restraining the Scots’ double threat of Borton and Katie Pastorius ’06 to only one shot on goal in regulation.

The substitution of Olof Petursdottir ’06 for Amy Hutchinson ’08 after the first 30 minutes had an immediate impact on the Scots, who began playing a more threatening offensive game. St. Ben’s got the first clear chance at goal when keeper Louisa Bigelow ’06 stopped a Kate Aubrecht shot. On its next possession, Mac had its first shot on goal, but an Alice Hacker ’05 shot was blocked by the Blazers’ keeper. Meghan Leahey ’06 kept up the pressure, but her effort ricocheted off the woodwork.

The first half ended in a flurry of activity in the Blazers’ box, with Borton and Pastorius seeing their efforts blocked by a defender and the keeper, respectively.

The high-powered Macalester offense continued to dominate the game after the break, with play mostly relegated to St. Ben’s half of the field. However, the Blazers’ tactics of deflecting the ball wide of the posts appeared to pay off. The Blazers gave the Scots nine corner kicks in the second half, but Macalester was unable to generate a goal.

Borton finally broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, beating St. Benedict’s keeper after receiving a pass from Sarah Marsh ’05. However, Macalester’s joy was short-lived, as Erin Doyle scored her third goal of the season only a minute later, tying the game. Nevertheless, the Scots appeared unfrazzled and kept up the pressure. But five Macalester opportunities from the corners in the last five minutes failed to produce a goal.

The game moved on to a first overtime, which saw increased defensive play from both sides. Mac continued to have better scoring opportunities, and Broadbent stopped shots from both Pastorius and Borton. In the second half of overtime, Bigelow blocked a shot by the Blazers’ Erin McGowan, much to the relief of the Scots’ supporters. In the last five minutes, Broadbent denied Pastorius again, and a header by Petursdottir edged wide of goal. The final whistle brought more disappointment than relief to the Scots.

The Scots, who have already clinched a playoff berth, now lie only a point ahead of second-place Concordia. St. Ben’s, which lost to the Scots in penalties in the tournament final last year, now sits in seventh place with nine points. Macalester is back in action on Oct. 23 at lowly Gustavus Adolphus. The Scots face a tough match away against third-placed Carleton on Oct. 27.