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PEMBROKE – Kate Weisner netted the Equalizer in the 75th minute and the sudden death goal just less than nine minutes into overtime as visiting and 12th-ranked Catawba rallied back from a one-goal deficit in the first half to slip by the UNC Pembroke women's soccer team, 2-1, on Wednesday at Varsity Grounds.

The loss marked the first of the season for the Braves (2-1-1) who have now gone to overtime with two of the nation's top 12 teams, including a draw at No. 10 Wingate last week. The triumph kept the Indians (5-0-0) undefeated on the season, while also helping Catawba stretch its series lead with the Braves out to 6-3-0.

Amber Watkins netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season for the hosts who also got assists from both Lovisa Gustafsson and Riley Kane. Janae Aiken registered 11 saves in the setback, including six in the second half alone. Weisner logged a game-best eight shots and recorded both goals for Catawba, while Mary Kirkman turned in a pair of assists.

"Catawba is a high-quality team that would be one of the top teams in the Peach Belt Conference," said UNCP head coach Lars Andersson. "I give them a lot of credit and they are well-coached. Their depth played a large role in the second half. We were very close to earning a draw against the No. 12 team in the country and I am pleased with the way we battled and hung in there."

Gustaffson found Kane on the far sideline and the newcomer dribbled about 20 yards into space before finding Watkins on a one timer at the 38:00 mark that put the icing on a very productive opening half for UNCP. Catawba found a lion's share of the play in the second half and out-shot the Black & Gold by a 16-2 disparity. However, the Braves held off several charges until the 75th minute (74:34) when Kirkman found a streaking Weisner who out-raced two UNCP defenders to the penalty area before firing off a shot past Aiken.

Aiken made a brilliant near-post save on a strike by Weisner just 23 seconds into extra time, but Weisner would have another crack at the goal eight minutes later and made it count with a goal that was similar to her second half strike.

UNCP will step back into PBC play this weekend when it suits up to welcome Montevallo (0-1-0, 0-0-0 PBC) to Varsity Grounds. Kickoff for the front end of a women's and men's doubleheader in Pembroke is set for 4 p.m.