In a game that featured major Heal points and MVC implications, the Bulldogs (9-1-2) vaulted into the No. 2 position in Class C South, while the Mustangs (9-2-1) dropped to No. 5. Madison, which also gained a possible slot in the conference championship game with the win.

Madison will travel to Monmouth next Monday, Oct. 19 for a rematch in the regular-season finale for both teams.

“This was such an important game for us,” Madison coach Erin Wood, who co-coaches with Michael Walsh, said. “Our kids rose to the challenge. Now we need to go to their place and play our best game because they will be ready.”

A flurry of activity in front of the Madison goal enabled Monmouth to tie the game with one minute, 29 seconds remaining in regulation play.

Monmouth’s Tia Day sent a pass into the goal area for teammate Sidney Wilson, who drilled a hard shot at the left corner from six yards. Madison goalkeeper Erin Whalen made a sensational diving stop but parried the ball back to the feet of Wilson, who slotted it into the goal to tie the game.

“Soccer is all about effort and heart,” Monmouth coach Gary Trafton said. “We made a couple of mistakes in the game and paid for it, but our kids battled back.”

Bess had two chances to score late in the second half. She hit the post and watched as Monmouth keeper Mikayla Cameron made a diving save to stop a ball from going into the corner, but she made sure in overtime.

Taking a pass from Trista Giroux, at the 12 yard line, Bess wheeled, striking a ground ball towards the center of the goal that Cameron nearly saved. The game-winner came with 32.2 seconds remaining in the first, five-minute overtime.

“That was crazy emotional,” Bess said. “You want to be the one that scores the game-winning goal.”

Monmouth received a hard-luck blow to its attacking game with 23:35 left in the second half when striker Haley Fletcher collided with Whalen, Madison’s keeper, in the Bulldog penalty area. Both players were sent to the sideline. Three minutes later, Whalen returned, but Fletcher stayed on the bench for the remainder of the game.

“The trainer, on site advised us not to play her, so that’s what we did,” Trafton said. “It was unfortunate, but it happened.”

Madison took a 1-0 lead with 16:08 left in regulation when a Monmouth defender was called for a push in the penalty area. Madeline Wood, stepped to the spot, striking the ball into the left corner for a 1-0 lead.