Eisenhower’s Lexi Scholar moves the ball during Monday’s nonregion girls soccer game against Port Allegany in Russell. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

RUSSELL — The Knights welcomed undefeated Port Allegany to Eisenhower Middle/High School on Monday and were not a good host as they sent the Gators on the long trip home with their first loss of the season, 4-3 in overtime.

Both teams were aggressive from the start, but for the first 20 minutes neither could generate a goal after numerous shots.

It was the Gators who struck first in the 21st minute when Hannah Himes scored the first of her three goals in the game on a shot to the right corner of the net to give her team a 1-0 lead.

Eisenhower’s Lexi Scholar, who would also have three goals in the game, would score just two minutes later to tie the game.

Himes would add another goal just 2:42 later to give the lead back to Port Allegany.

With time winding down in the first half and the Gators playing keepaway with the ball, it was the Knights who would tie the game when Scholar would find the back of the net with just one minute remaining.

Both teams came out of the half and worked on their passing games as they tried to work the ball inside, but both goalkeepers were solid as each knocked down double-digit shots on goal during the game.

It was Himes who snuck a shot through knight goalkeeper Tracey Jakubczak to give Port Allegheny the lead back at the 31:29 mark of the second half.

The Knights stuck with their game plan and continued to be aggressive, but could not find the back of the net until Rosalie Rondeau connected on a penalty shot with just 2:18 remaining to tie the score at 3-3.

Jakubczak had two nice blocks early in the 10-minute overtime period to deny the Gators a goal.

It was at the midway point of the period when Scholar would steal the ball and connect on a long shot to give the Knights the win.

“I’m just so proud of the girls today, we were able to defend their attacks and play our game,” Eisenhower head coach Faith Johnson said. “The girls just played their hearts out and never gave up. Several of our girls never got a break. We are excited for Wednesday when we play Seneca in our first region game.”