New London — Every season is like one long amusement park ride for the Connecticut College women's soccer team.

It is full of twists and turns.

That's life in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

"In the NESCAC, we always talk about it's an incredible roller-coaster ride," coach Norm Riker said. "And you have to buckle up the seat belt and stay focused."

The Camels are enjoying the sometimes queasy and often exhilarating ride this fall. They've risen to 14th in the nation and rank third in the NCAA New England regional poll.

The latest thrill came on Wednesday against NESCAC foe Trinity College.

Junior Alex Baltazar delivered the game-winning strike about three minutes into overtime, setting off a celebration and lifting the Camels to 2-1 victory. They climbed to 11-1-1 overall and clinched a NESCAC tournament quarterfinal round home game. Trinity fell to 6-6-2.

Conn College also improved to 7-1 in one-goal games. Experience certainly helps the Camels, who have nine seniors on the roster, in those tight games.

"It's a testament to our entire team, but it also is a testament our senior leadership and then the younger players just all buying in and believing," Riker said. "Then when you have that experience and you've been through all these crazy games, they understand that you really have to take it day by day, game by game, play by play."

Wednesday's game was your typical hard-fought, high-intensity NESCAC battle. Play turned physical as 40 fouls were called.

The Camels seized the early lead as Baltazar deflected in senior Michelle Medina's cross at the 7:20 mark. They continued to apply pressure throughout the game and ended up with a 13-4 edge in shots.

For a while, it looked as if the goal would hold up. The stingy Camel defense had allowed just six goals all season entering Wednesday's game.

But it's difficult to defend a free kick that sails over the goalie from roughly 40 yards out. Sophomore Rhone O'Hara's long distance shot beat senior Bryanna Montalvo to tie the score at the 53:55 mark.

"We don't give up a lot of chances and we're really organized in the back, and we pride ourselves on that," Riker said. "Goals are going to happen on set pieces. But we found a way to survive it."

Montalvo had to make only two saves but slapped away a dangerous cross into the box late in regulation.

It was a short overtime thanks to Baltazar, who collected a long pass from sophomore Zoe Stublarec and blasted a shot from a tough angle high into the goal.

"I didn't really think I had an angle but I just put all my effort into it and there you go," Baltazar said.

Baltazar said she has been in a bit of a scoring rut. After contributing a team-high 10 goals last season, she had just two entering Wednesday's game. It was her second straight game-winning goal.

With two regular season games remaining, the Camels are on course to qualify for the NCAA tournament for the second straight year.

But that's not their focus.

They know the amusement park ride isn't over. It's still possible for second-place Conn (6-1-1) to catch NESAC leader Williams College (7-0-1) and then there's postseason play.

"Our momentum is going forward," Baltazar said. "We've just been crushing it since the start of the season. We want to finish strong and head into the NESCAC quarterfinals strong."

g.keefe@theday.com