SANFORD — The Cheverus girls soccer team grinded out a 3-2 overtime win over hosting Sanford Wednesday evening.

Down 2-1 late in the second half, Sanford would get a goal from Vanessa Hodge to even the score and force overtime.

Despite taking the momentum into the extra period, Cheverus’ Emma Gallant would get a breakaway opportunity and score the game-winner off the crossbar.

“I was really happy. They’ve been resilient all season long, and when Sanford scored with two three minutes left it would have been easy to fold,” said Cheverus coach Craig Roberts. “I said to the girls, ‘hey, we’re going out to win – not to tie, but to win.’ To show that resiliency, I couldn’t have been more proud of them.”

The Stags jumped on the Spartans early in the contest and won the possession battle for much of the first 20 minutes, not allowing Sanford to take a shot until 24:11 mark in the half.

Although the Stags dominated possession, the Spartans would strike first on a goal off the chest of Julia Allen to take the 1-0 lead.

Cheverus would respond however, getting two goals from Lauren Jordan within a two-minute period to take the 2-1 lead at half.

Sanford came out stronger, winning the possession battle for much of the second half. Despite the improvements, the Spartans could not generate enough scoring chances to pull off the win.

“We changed our shape a bit from when we started and then we started to win the battles in the midfield. There were five chances to score, they found three we found two. It is what it is,” said Sanford coach Chris Coleman.

Cheverus had a lot to be happy about with Wednesday’s win, topping an experienced and physical Sanford club.

“Sanford wanted this win, for sure. They were going to come down here and play with a lot of intensity, they’re senior-laden so we knew they would be really physical,” said Roberts. “I like that, I think people need to realize that girls can play like that. I was glad that the girls didn’t back down and cower or go into a defensive shell.”

Roberts hopes that Wednesday’s win will help his team pick up some momentum heading toward the playoff push.

“It helps us a lot. It helps us with heal points and it also helps us with momentum. It will help us with momentum if we take it to the next game and show that this is how we have to play to be a good playoff team that people worry about,” said Roberts.

As for Sanford, the Spartans hope to get a chance for redemption in the postseason.

“We’ll see them in the playoffs,” said Coleman. “Whether we won, tied or lost to them … we’ll see them again in the playoffs.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at sports@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.