The Capital University women's soccer team outlasted the region's top team on the road Wednesday, dealing No. 14 Thomas More its first loss of the year with a 2-1 victory in a non-conference affair at Crestview Hills, Ky.

Senior forward Hilary Ells (Grandview Heights, Ohio) put away the game-winner for the Crusaders (3-1-1 overall) in the 108th minute of the contest. She posted her fourth goal of the year off a rebound.

"Obviously we're excited to go on the road and beat the No. 1 team in the region and the No. 14 team in the country," Capital coach Chris Kouns said. "Not to take anything away from Thomas More, but we didn't play our most intelligent game. We have to stay a lot more composed when we play other teams of this caliber."

After the Saints (3-0-1) took the lead on a penalty kick in the 34th minute, freshman forward Monique Hanayik (Sidney, Ohio) found the back of the net just under two minutes later to level the match for Capital. The unassisted tally was Hanayik's first of the season and first for her career, and was the first goal allowed by Thomas More this season.

From there, the Crusaders withstood Thomas More's strong attack and tallied with just two minutes remaining in the match to earn their second result of the season on the road against a 2012 NCAA Tournament team. Capital earned a 1-1 tie at Penn State-Behrend on Sept. 1.

The Saints held slight advantages in shots (15-13) and corner kicks (5-3). Senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan (Cincinnati, Ohio) posted five saves to pick up her third victory of the season.

"Maggie Donnellan did a great job in the back, dealing with the balls that she had to deal with," Kouns said. "We had more people scoring and more opportunities, and if nothing else, we at least have our attacking going forward. Other than giving up a penalty kick, I think our defense is fine too."

Capital returns to action this Saturday against Defiance. Kickoff at Bernlohr Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is the first half of a women's-men's doubleheader.

"This is the kind of game we have to learn from if we're going to contend for an OAC championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament," Kouns said.