Worcester, Mass. – Sophomore striker Jordan Houston (Providence, Utah) scored the game-winning goal 4:55 into the first overtime and visiting Smith College topped Clark University in the New England Women's And Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's soccer opener for both teams.

Houston's second goal came when she spun around a Cougar defender at the top of the box and fired a rising shot that banged off the crossbar and was ruled to have come across the goal line before being grabbed by Clark netminder Gabby Paolini (North Potomac, Md.).

The win for the Pioneers moves their record to 3-2-1 overall and 1-0 in league play, while Clark has now dropped four in a row to fall to 2-5 in advance of their upcoming three game road trip over the next week and a half.

Houston put Smith ahead late in the first half when she took a feed from Gigi Ross (Colt's Neck, N.J.) and sent a low shot past a diving Paolini at 35:58.

Clark had a couple of opportunities to get on the board but couldn't capitalize. The first came in the ninth minute when Lucia Pantuosco (Somers, Conn.) took a shoot from inside the box but her attempt sailed wide.

Emma Lynch (Pawtucket, R.I.) had a great chance in the 56th minute when she gathered a loose ball inside the box but her shot from inside ten yards was turned away on a diving stop by Alanna Lynch (Trumbull, Conn.).

The Cougars finally broke through in the 73rd minute when Jenna Zarou (Garden City, N.Y.) converted a free kick from about 35 yards out. She lofted her second goal of the year high into the upper right corner and Lynch made a play on it but the shot glanced off of her fingertips into the goal.

Right before Houston's eventual game winner, Clark had a chance to win the game themselves when Lynch found herself free at the top of box but her chance flew over the crossbar.

Paolini was strong in goal for the Cougars, turning back seven shots, while Lynch made three stops for the Pioneers.

The other stats were pretty even, with Clark holding small advantages in overall shots (17-16) and corner kicks (6-4).

Smith will return to the field on Wednesday when they play host to Westfield State. The Cougars, meanwhile head to Western Connecticut on Tuesday for a showdown with the Colonials.