By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Theatrics took center stage for the Tennessee Tech soccer team in a match that had the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship hanging in the balance Sunday afternoon at Tech Soccer Field.
Squared away at 1-1 toward the tail end of regulation, Gabby Garcia had a goal for the ages that pushed the purple and gold to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Little Rock that clinched the program's second-consecutive conference crown and third overall title in school history. Needing a win on Senior Day to reach the pinnacle, the Golden Eagles stepped up when it mattered most, and it was all capped off by Garcia's heroics with less than 10 minutes left.
After collecting a feed from Selma Askildsen, Garcia maneuvered toward the center and from close to 25 yards out, the 5-foot-3 forward drilled one into the upper right corner of the net to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead in the 82nd minute. Garcia's first goal of the season and sixth of her Tech tenure was her fourth career game-winning score. Sunday's heroics took place on her birthday.
"For Gabby to do that today as a senior, this is what you dream of," TTU head coach Steve Springthorpe said. "A goal like that to win a championship on Senior Day, and on her birthday no less, wow what a moment. She came up big and smacked an unbelievable goal into the back of the net. I am so happy for Gabby and for all of the seniors that can go out with a championship. They have led our team to unbelievable heights and to do it at home in front of our fans is special."
Tech's victory not only clinches the regular-season championship, but also gives the Golden Eagles the No. 1 overall seed in the OVC Tournament. TTU will receive a double-bye straight to the semifinals and will host the semis and championship match for the second-straight year.
"There's a lot of happiness and joy right now," Springthorpe said. "Happiness for our players, for our administration and for our school. There is a lot of pressure to do it two years in a row, but it speaks to our group of players and a lot of the leadership they possess. Our team found a way to do it today when we needed a win to make sure that we would clinch the championship outright. I am just so happy for our team and am excited they were able to have a day like this."
The late-match dramatics were made possible after Little Rock (5-4-8, 2-3-3 OVC) knotted the tilt in the 68th minute on a Bronte Peel goal that saw the red-shirt sophomore take off from outside the box for the equalizing goal. Colleen Gilliland set up the score to pick up an assist on the play.
"We came out maybe a little flat in the second half and didn't necessarily play great those first 20 or 30 minutes of the half, but a lot of that has to do with Little Rock and the pressure they applied on us," Springthorpe noted. "They are a great team and needed a win as well if they wanted a chance at a bye in the tournament, so we definitely got their best today. They are tough to break down and don't give up many goals. I am so proud of our team because today we hung in there."
Tech (8-5-4, 7-1-1 OVC) started the scoring just before intermission on a Yao Giada Zhou goal for the senior midfielder's conference-leading seventh score of the year. Meredith Nye began the play by slipping a pass to Katie Toney on the outskirts of the box, before Toney made her way the near the net and then crossed a beauty of a ball to Giada Zhou, who promptly took care of the rest. Nye's assist was her first of the year, while Toney's helper was the sophomore's sixth of the season to tie Giada Zhou for the most in the league.
Maggie Conrad helped keep the Trojans off the board in the first half with three key saves to help guide a Golden Eagle defense that has blanked the opposition in the first stanza in 11 of the last 12 matches. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native would need just one second-half stop en route to the victory. Peyton Urban tallied four halts across the way.
Neve Renwick led the contest with six shots, including three on-frame. The freshman out of Sheffield, England ends the regular season with a conference-best 67 total attempts. Amaya Arias led Little Rock with two tries.
The Golden Eagles wrap up the regular season having gone unbeaten in eight-consecutive home matches after dropping the home opener to Chattanooga way back on Aug. 20.
"Just like last year when we had a chance to clinch the championship at home, we had an unbelievable crowd out there today," Springthorpe said. "Almost all of the other Tennessee Tech athletic teams came out and the community did as well in support of our team in one of the most crucial games in our program's history. I can't thank everyone enough for that. We are appreciative of that and will return the favor when the time comes. What a special environment that was and that kind of support really helped us win today."
Prior to the proceedings, Tech honored their senior class of Selma Askildsen, Emily Carlevato, Macy Carter, Taylor Clark, Sami Cullum, Katelyn Farmer, Gabby Garcia, Yao Giada Zhou and Bailey Taylor.
With a double-bye in their back pocket, the Golden Eagles will next be in action for the OVC Tournament semifinals, hosted by the purple and gold at Tech Soccer Field. The semis are set for Thursday, Nov. 2 and the championship match will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Photos by Jim Dillon
