It takes double overtime for the Blue Raiders to overtake Tech Sunday
The Golden Eagles shouldered a 2-1 double-overtime loss to the MTSU Blue Raiders Sunday afternoon. Sophomore Kerri Reid logged her first goal of the season to put Tech on the board first in the matinee match-up.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Golden Eagle soccer squad took their matinee game against Middle Tennessee State into 105 minutes of play Sunday afternoon on Blue Raider turf in Murfreesboro.
It was evident after the scoreless first half that the match-up between TTU and former OVC opponent MTSU would be hard-fought. Golden Eagle freshman keeper Becca Toler notched six saves in the first half as the defense came together to deny 11 shots from MTSU, while the offense combined for three shots on the other end during the first 45 minutes of the game.
Tech, looking to avenge their past two meetings with the Blue Raiders, came out strong in the second half to put the first goal of the game on the board. Sophomore midfielder Kerri Reid's unassisted goal in the 49th minute of the match marked the first for Tech in two meetings with MTSU.
With the game in control, the TTU defense came together to shut down the Blue Raider offense, holding them to five missed shots over the next 41 minutes of the game. Toler earned another three saves for a total of nine on the day, doubling her career total.
In the 90th minute however, Vanessa Mueggler broke through the backfield on a pass from Heidel Johannessen to tie the game at one all and send it into the first overtime period of the match.
In their first extra minute scenario of the season, Tech went nearly neck-and-neck with host MTSU, taking one shot to their two and holding the score at 1-1 through the first OT.
The 105th minute of the game favored the Blue Raiders, however, when Johannessen recorded her second assist of the game with a pass to Hope Suominen, whose hard shot on the ground bounced off of Toler's hands for the game-winner in the second sudden death period.
"We really displayed a team effort this afternoon," said first-year coach Daniel Brizard. "We were able to shake off the tying goal for the first overtime period and come together to hold off an imposing MTSU offense."
"Sudden death situations are something that every team needs to be aware of and ready for," Brizard continued. "Today's match gave us a taste of overtime competition against a high level opponent."
Golden Eagle seniors Michelle Decker and Jen Hoffman added two shots each on the match.
Tech will take on SEC powerhouse Vanderbilt on Friday in a night game in Nashville scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
