COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team played to a bittersweet tune Sunday afternoon. While there was much celebration in the air for the Golden Eagles' annual senior day match, the day ultimately ended on a low note as the EIU Panthers won in overtime 3-2.
For the second straight game, the Tech defense played the opposing team to a halftime stalemate, not allowing a goal and holding the Panthers to just three shots on goal.
Junior forward Ellie Iaciofano kept her stellar season rolling, scoring in the 49th minute to give the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead. She added a second goal in the 68th minute, her OVC-leading eighth score of the year. Senior forward Andrea Meloff provided the assist on the first goal while Iaciofano doubled the Tech lead unassisted. Iaciofano also leads the OVC in points with 18.
EIU would storm back, scoring in the 72nd and 88th minutes to tie the match and eventually send it to overtime. Eastern Illinois scored in the 96th minute to pull out the comeback and earn its first conference victory of the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Jordan Brown provided the Golden Eagles with another solid performance in the net, making nine stops on 12 shots on goal and 23 total shot attempts. She has logged 76 saves on the year, good for second in the OVC to EIU goalkeeper Jessica Taldone. Taldone made six stops in the contest before being pulled in the 69th minute.
The loss bumps Tech's record to 3-7-1 for the season and 1-2 in OVC play.
Prior to the match, the graduating seniors of the Golden Eagle soccer team were honored for their years of hard work and dedication both on the field and in the classroom as student athletes. Each senior was given a framed jersey from head coach Daniel Brizard and Tennessee Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson.
The Golden Eagles will return to the pitch Friday, Oct. 5, as they travel to Morehead State for a 6 p.m. CT match under the lights. They will then make a trip to Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, Oct 7, for a 12 p.m. contest against the Colonels.
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| From left: Head Coach Daniel Brizard; #6 Jacquie Watkins, her mother Janet, father Gearl, & sister Jaimie; #7 Kerri Reid, her father Benjamin Jr. & mother Cheri; #8 Sarah Gawthrop, her mother Brenda; #12 Kris Cambron, her father Don & mother Cheryl; #15 Andrea Meloff, her father Marc & mother Sherry; #18 Julie Thompson, her father Derry & mother Cathy; #21 Alex Stevenson, Sheri Pharris, Adam Pharris; Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. |