The Pella Christian girls soccer team began their season Tuesday night with a thrilling 3-2 road win over 3A opponent Ottumwa.

The Eagles had six shots on goal to Ottumwa’s five in the first half, but found themselves down 1-0 at halftime after the Bulldogs’ striker found the net with 39 seconds left in the half. In the ninth minute of the second half, the Eagles were unable to clear a through ball that allowed Ottumwa to take 2-0 lead. Following the second goal, Pella Christian moved goalkeeper Lydia Zylstra to striker, and put backup goalkeeper Dani Roose into the lineup. The change provided just the spark the Eagles needed, as two-time 1st Team All-Little Hawkeye Conference player Joslyn Terpstra pulled Pella Christian back within one. With only 3 minutes and 37 second left in regulation, the Eagles had a chance at their third penalty kick of the night, and last season’s All-Little Hawkeye Conference 2nd teamer Jaclyn Holmes tied the match. Going into the sudden death overtime period, Pella Christian won the coin toss. Only one minute into the overtime period, Hattie Fancher placed a through ball to Terpstra who beat the goalie one on one for the game winning goal. Head Coach Mike Buchheit said that Terpstra’s expectations of herself as an athlete has helped fuel her success on the soccer pitch.

“Joslyn’s played high level soccer. She’s been a really good multi-sport athlete at Pella Christian, but soccer is certainly her passion. She’s an all around really good athlete, and certainly we expect a lot from her and she expects a lot from herself.”

The Eagles are now 1-0 on the season with the win, and return to action on Thursday against reigning Little Hawkeye Conference champion Norwalk at Pella Sports Complex.