COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Seniors Ashley Smith and Brooke Mayo paved the way to victory for the Tennessee Tech soccer team Friday afternoon as the Golden Eagles handed the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State a 3-1 loss.
Smith’s first-half goal started the scoring for Tech in the 38th minute of play. Sophomore Andrea Meloff triggered the goal when she went head to head with a JSU defender just to the right of the goal, coming away with the ball about seven yards out with the keeper to beat. She connected with Smith on an easy ball across the front of the goal, which Smith fired into the left side netting.
In the 50th minute of the game, with momentum going their way, Kerri Reid found Brooke Mayo through the back line from the midfield. Mayo controlled Reid’s pass on the ground, and her quick shot beat a diving Katelyn Geddings to put Tech up, 2-0.
Both goals marked the first of the season for Smith and Mayo.
Jacksonville appeared undaunted however, as they answered in the 52nd minute of play as Ariel Jones notched her second goal of the season to close the gap to a single goal.
Having already set Smith up for the first goal of the game, Meloff got her own reward as Smith returned the favor, crossing the ball into the box for Jen Hoffman to knock to Meloff for her fifth goal of the season in the 62nd minute.
Tech dominated in their attacking half, having fired off 16 shots, led by Smith and Hoffman with three apiece. Seven other Golden Eagles combined for the remaining 10 shots. Gamecock keeper Katelyn Geddings notched five saves.
In the backfield, the Golden Eagle defense held the Gamecocks to eight shots and freshman keeper Becca Toler made three saves.
“Our offense really connected today, which was evident in the score,” said head coach Daniel Brizard. “We had the right chemistry up front today and were able to put together a few cohesive attacks.”
The Golden Eagles will finish off the regular season with one more home game on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the Governors of Austin Peay.