RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Jen Hoffman scored two goals late
in the game against Eastern Kentucky to erase a 1-0 deficit as the
Tennessee Tech soccer team stole a 2-1 overtime win over the
Colonels in Ohio Valley Conference play in Richmond, Ky.,
Friday.
“The girls were resilient today, and they never stopped
fighting,” head coach Becky Fletcher said. “To be down
by a goal late in the game like that, and to battle back and force
overtime, and then win, was great. Not to mention doing that in a
conference game on the road.”
EKU’s Deja Tennon broke a scoreless tie in the 68th minute
with an unassisted goal from 15-yards out. But Hoffman would answer
moments later as she tied the game with a goal in the 75th minute.
That was her second goal of the season, as freshman Kerri Reid
picked up her team-leading third assist of the year.
The Golden Eagles headed to overtime for the third time this
season, and Hoffman would put EKU away with her second goal of the
game and third of the year. She found the back of the net from
10-yards out with an assist from freshman Julie Thompson seven
minutes into overtime.
“Jen had one goal all season before today, and she had two in
this game,” Fletcher said. “And they were two good
goals, assisted by two different freshmen. Today was a group
effort. We got a lot of help with some quality minutes from our
bench.”
The Golden Eagles improve to 3-8-1 overall, and 2-1-0 in OVC play.
Tech remains unbeaten in overtime in 2009, at 2-0-1.
Tech goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thacker finished the game with two saves.
The Golden Eagles had six total shots, including three on goal.
Reid, Krista Kaump, Taren Brown, Kris Cambron all finished with one
shot. EKU outshot Tech 16-6.
“EKU is a quality opponent, and they showed it,”
Fletcher said. “They battled the entire time and it
wasn’t easy. We have a lot of respect for their
program.”
Tech will return home to wrap up the weekend against Morehead State
on Sunday at 2 p.m.
“Morehead is going to be tough,” Fletcher said.
“It’s a Sunday game which is always hard after playing
on Friday. We’re going to have to rely on our bench to pick
us up.”
Admission to all Tech home soccer matches is free.