Golden Eagles get win over SEMO on senior day
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Tech soccer team honored its
seniors Sunday, when it hosted Southeast Missouri State in its
final home regular-season Ohio Valley Conference game, and the
Golden Eagles took advantage with a 2-1 win, sparked by a goal from
senior Rebecca Ross.
"It couldn't have been any better," coach Becky Fletcher said. "You
want to send the girls out with a win, on a positive note, and
that's exactly what we did today."
The Golden Eagles (4-11-1, 3-2-1) took a 2-0 lead into half time
when sophomore Ashley Smith scored what proved to be the
game-winning goal off of Michelle Decker's corner kick. SEMO
(2-8-1, 1-4-2) scored mid-way through the second half, keeping the
game tight, but was not able to tie the game.
Smith and freshman Lindsey Reed assisted Ross's goal. Freshman
goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thacker made 10 saves in the winning effort for
the Golden Eagles.
"Kaitlyn has been great all season long," assistant coach Chris
Walker said. "To be confident the way she is, is great."
The win puts the Golden Eagles in an advantagous position to make
it to the OVC tournament, which takes the conference's top six
teams. Tech was in a tie for fourth place heading into Sunday's
contest. Depending on results from other games around the league,
Tech may have clinched a top-six spot.
"As soon as we've made it into tournament, our next goal is to host
the first round," Fletcher said. "And from there, who knows? It's
all up for grabs."
The leagues top two teams have a first-round bye in the tournament,
while the third and fourth place teams host the fifth and sixth
place teams, with the winners traveling to the regular-season
champion for the semi-finals and finals. Tech has two OVC games
remaining, at UT Martin on Oct. 24, and Murray State on Oct.
26.
"We're away these next two games," senior Kristin Hennek said.
"Hopefully we can win them, and host a game in the tournament."
The Golden Eagles return to Cookeville for their season finale, a
non-conference match-up with Lipscomb on Oct. 29.
