MURRAY, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team kept themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament Sunday, defeating Murray State 2-1 to grab its third conference victory of the season.
Down 1-0 after just 23 minutes, the Golden Eagles overcame
adversity and a one goal deficit, scoring two goals in the first
half and holding off the Racer attack in the second half to grab
the victory and stop a three-game skid.
"It's fantastic to be on the other side of a comeback victory,"
said head coach Daniel Brizard. "We had the same thing happen
against EIU and Belmont, but it was great to have the girls finish
out the game and overcome the early deficit."
The Golden Eagles answered back quickly, scoring just two minutes
later. Senior forward Andrea Meloff scored off an
Ellie Iaciofano
cross for her second goal of the season. It marked Iaciofano's
third assist of the year. She added another just one minute before
halftime, a quick pass to senior midfielder Sarah Gawthrop who scored
her third goal of the season.
It was Gawthrop's third career game-winning goal and second of
the season. Also adding an assist on the play was freshman
midfielder Taylor Blazei, her
first career assist and point.
Freshman goalkeeper Jordan Brown added
five more saves to her repertoire, giving her 17 over the weekend.
She has racked up over 100 saves this season and is having one of
the greatest seasons between the pipes in Golden Eagle history.
"Jordan had another solid performance," said Brizard. "She has been
a major reason we have been close in all our games this season. She
had a great save towards the end of the match to preserve the lead.
Our team feels comfortable with her in the net and she is going to
be a huge part of this program for the next three years."
Tech will return to action Friday, Oct. 26 when they host
Southeast Missouri for its final home match of the season in a 3
p.m. CT tilt. The Golden Eagles will then wrap up the regular
season on Sunday, Oct. 28 in a 2 p.m. trip to UT Martin, who sits
atop the OVC.