By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team's Ohio Valley Conference opener swung SEMO's way, as the Redhawks broke a scoreless deadlock just two and a half minutes into overtime to claim a 1-0 victory.
Freshman Lexi Grote found the back of the net in the 93rd minute, the only shot in the extra session. The Granite City, Ill. native received a pass from sophomore Esmie Gonzales, before Grote put a lid on the match with her second goal of the season. Gonzales collected her team-best third assist on the winner.
Tech (3-4-0, 0-1-0) nearly doubled SEMO's shot total, holding a 17-9 edge over the Redhawks. TTU came out scorching with 11 first-half shots, while the Golden Eagle defense held Southeast Missouri (4-4-0, 1-0-0) to just three attempts in the first 45 minutes. Tech also controlled the corners to the tune of a 7-2 advantage, including five in the first stanza, a period that saw multiple Golden Eagle threats
Junior Tina Marolt and sophomore Dani Shartouny tied for the team-lead in shots with four apiece. Senior Karigan Owens rattled off three attempts, two of which were on-goal. Grote and senior Shay Darga each produced a club-best two tries for the Redhawks.
Junior goalkeeper Kari Naerdemann stopped all four shots in regulation, before allowing Grote's drive early in the extra session. Redshirt freshman Maddie Gleeson notched the win in net for SEMO, behind two saves in a tad over 50 minutes between the pipes. In just under 42 minutes on the pitch, senior Kindra Lierz collected six saves.
The Golden Eagles will be right back at it Sunday afternoon, ending a season-long, four-match road trip with a meeting at Jacksonville State. First kick is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
Photo by Tony Marable
