Tech defends home turf, claims 2-1 win over Lipscomb

Tech defends home turf, claims 2-1 win over Lipscomb

Meloff notches goal and assist; Koch earns first career assist

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — After seven games away from home, Tennessee Tech returned triumphantly on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Lipscomb in its final non-conference match of the season.

Andrea Meloff was the offensive catalyst for the Golden Eagles, distributing an assist on Tech's first goal and scoring off a rebound on the second.

Meloff's performance marked the first time this season a Tech player has scored a goal and notched an assist in the same game.

The Golden Eagles dominated possession for most of the afternoon and had numerous scoring opportunities throughout the game.

"It was great to get a win," said head coach Daniel Brizard. "The crowd was fantastic. It was a great home atmosphere and great to be at home after we've played seven games away. I think we played a great style. We knocked it around. Lipscomb fought for the whole 90, we had a little lapse there and let them in, but it's nice to get a win going into conference play."

Tech got on the board for the first time in the 16th minute when Meloff broke free on a run, then passed ahead to Ellie Iaciofano, who fired a shot that ricocheted off the left goalpost and into the net, giving the Golden Eagles a 1-0 advantage.

The goal was Iaciofano's second of the season while Meloff also picked up her second assist.

"Coming out with the first goal of the game felt good," Iaciofano said. "Andrea had a great pass, right place at the right time for me to finish it."

Lipscomb netted the equalizer just after halftime in the 45th minute when Alex Wagner scored on a free kick from several yards outside the box after a Tech foul.

Fourteen minutes later, the Golden Eagles regained the lead when Amanda Koch fired a shot that was deflected by Lipscomb goalkeeper Allison Brown. Meloff was there to boot in the rebound, however, scoring the final goal of the game.

Koch, a freshman, earned her first career assist and her first career points on the play. The goal was the first of Meloff's season.

Tech controlled the game from start to finish, firing 23 shots compared to seven for the Lady Bisons. The Golden Eagles earned an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Tech goalkeeper Becca Toler finished with three saves while Brown collected six.

Iaciofano finished the match with four shots on goal while Meloff had two and Jacquie Watkins and Emily Homan added one apiece.

The Golden Eagles open Ohio Valley Conference play on Friday, Sept. 23 at Eastern Illinois with a 3:30 p.m. match. The weekend continues at SIU Edwardsville on Sunday, Sept. 25 with a 1 p.m. meeting.