Golden Eagles capture home opener in final seconds over Appalachian State
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Becky Fletcher earned her first victory as
Tennessee Tech soccer coach, and it couldn't have come in a more
dramatic fashion. With 15 seconds remaining, senior Katie Hoover
netted a free kick from 40-plus yards out, to clinch a 1-0 victory
over Appalachian State (0-1-1) Friday, in the team's home
opener.
"The first win is going to be special anywhere," Fletcher said.
"But the first one back at Tech, it's unbelievable."
Fletcher was a graduate assistant coach at Tech from 1999-2001,
while the Golden Eagles went 31-28-0.
Fletcher's victory wasn't the only milestone set for the Golden
Eagles (1-3-0) Friday. Freshman goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thacker posted
her first career shutout, with five saves, many of those from point
blank range.
"Kaitlyn came up huge for us," Fletcher said. "She's a freshman,
and freshman usually don't play like that. She did anything and
everything to keep the ball out of the back of the net."
With the score tied 0-0 with time winding down, it looked like the
game would be headed to overtime, before a late foul set up Hoover
for the game-winner. It was her second goal off of a free kick this
season.
"She hit the ball exactly where she was trying to hit it. She hit
it very well, on a rope, side net, upper ninety. The keeper never
had a chance. I'm very proud of her," Fletcher said.
Nearly 300 fans packed Tech Soccer Field for the match, and the
home field advantage is something the Golden Eagles plan to keep on
their side.
"The fans were awesome, it made the environment electric," Fletcher
said. "It pushed the girls, motivated them to play even harder.
When they felt there were getting a little tired, they heard the
guys on the couches screaming and yelling for them, and that was
huge.
The Golden Eagles finished the game with 11 total shots, including
four on goal, while the Mountaineers posted eight shots, five on
goal. The match-up also saw 29 total fouls, five yellow-cards, and
a red-card. Two of the yellow-cards went against the Golden Eagles.
After dropping the first three games of the 2008 season, all of
which on the road, the Golden Eagles pulled out their first
victory.
"I want to give this victory to the kids," Fletcher said. "They
worked and worked. The effort was here. It was the best effort
we've had all year. We had a great week of practice, and I think
this is going to bring us together."
Tech wraps up the weekend Sunday, when it hosts Vanderbilt at 1
p.m. Admission to Tech home soccer matches is free.
