Meloff scores TTU goal, moves into tie for fifth on career list

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Despite playing an even, back-and-forth affair at Tech Soccer Field Friday afternoon, Tennessee Tech came out on the short end of a 2-1 decision against Eastern Kentucky in Ohio Valley Conference play.

The Golden Eagles missed out on several opportunities to score, and surrendered what became the game-winning goal to the Colonels early in the second half.

Eastern Kentucky's Devon Saini scored on a rebound off a shot that hit the crossbar in the 53^rd minute to give the Colonels the lead and help propel them to a 2-0 league record. Tech fell to 0-3 in conference play.

Statistically, the match was a close one, with each squad firing 11 shots. Eastern Kentucky had eight shots on goal compared to six for Tech. The Colonels won three corner kicks while the Golden Eagles had two.

"I think we were kind of unfortunate," said Tech head coach Daniel Brizard. "I think this is probably the best we've played all year. We possessed the ball and knocked the ball around. We were unlucky on the second goal, but they kind of picked us apart on the back line in the first (goal)."

EKU scored the first goal of the day less than six minutes into the contest when Nicole Donnelly found the back of the net on a shot from the right side of the box into the top left corner of the Tech net.

The lead didn't hold, however, as TTU netted the equalizer in the 29^th minute when Andrea Meloff scored off a Kris Cambron assist. Meloff popped a shot over the head of the goalkeeper, who came out of the net on the play.

"It was just good possession on offense," Meloff said of the goal. "The ball got out to Kris and she made a really good cross, and I just chipped it over the goalie's head. It was just all of us getting in on the attack."

The goal was the second of the season for Meloff and moved her into a tie for fifth on Tech's career goals-scored list. Meloff, a junior, has scored 15 goals as a Golden Eagle.

Meloff also moved into a tie with Kerri Reid for the team points lead this season with six.

The assist was the second of Cambron's season.

Tennessee Tech had several opportunities to even the game again down the stretch, with the best coming in the 16^th minute when Meloff fired a shot that went just wide of the post past a diving Eastern Kentucky goalkeeper.

The Golden Eagles return to action Sunday when they play host to defending OVC champion Morehead State at 1 p.m. Admission is free.