Next game:
At UT Martin
October 6, 2024 | 3pm
October 6th (Sun) 15:00
At UT Martin
MOREHEAD – Morehead State University women’s soccer coach Paul Cox knew his club was on the right track after witnessing an intra-team brawl during Thursday night’s game against Tennessee Tech at Tech Soccer Field. Made me believe I was on board.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the host Golden Eagles defeated MSU 1-0.
There were two plays that turned the game around for the Blue and Gold. An early handball led to a free kick goal and a missed penalty kick in the second half.
Despite suffering two straight losses to top-ranked opponents in the Ohio Valley Conference, Cox insisted the Eagles are the favorites to win the championship.
Coach Cox said: “It’s another disappointing result and it’s hard to accept. I thought we were the better team, but unfortunately (we) couldn’t take our chances.” “We’ve had some season-defining moments in the last two games, but what we’re seeing from this young team is quality, hunger and the will to win. We’ll definitely bounce back from this setback.”
Tennessee Tech (3-7-4/3-1-0) extended its shutout streak to 348 minutes, 30 seconds behind a stellar effort from reigning OVC Goaltender of the Week Maggie Conrad. The Tech junior stopped a penalty kick for the third time in as many games.
Morehead State (5-5-3/2-2-0) took the first three shots of the game, but it was the hosts who went first at the 6:22 mark, earning OVC Offensive of the Week honors. Player Katie Toney converted. Lucia Cuadra’s free kick after a handball created a chance for the Golden Eagles.
Both teams finished the first half with seven shots and one corner kick in an even game.
The Eagles made the first three shots of the second half. Tennessee Tech didn’t even get a tryout until more than 25 minutes into the final period.
The visiting team’s best chance to score came with 1:56 remaining when third-year midfielder Kennedy Baquero was brought down in the box and sophomore forward Hedda Ornberg took the penalty, potentially tying the score. However, Ornberg’s low shot went into the goal. Conrad smashed it off the left post.
The drama didn’t end there, as the Golden Eagles were first shown a yellow card and then a red card seconds later, but TTU pulled away with a third straight win and MSU never had a chance on goal just seconds later. In last year’s conference championship, they lost at home to the Eagles in overtime.
It was Tech’s second straight home win, but the Eagles went 3-3-2 on the road this fall, ending their undefeated road record at two. It was the first time in six games that Morehead State lost a shutout. Tennessee Tech improved to 2-3-2 on its own this season.
With this victory, TTU improved its record against the Eagles to 14 wins, 12 wins, 4 losses, and 8 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws.
MSU held a slight advantage in total shots (13-11), but both teams had 12 fouls, three offside violations and five saves. The Golden Eagles took more corner kicks (3-1) and had an advantage in possession percentage (51-49). Both teams had the ball in the opponent’s offensive zone for about the same amount of time (Morehead State 56 percent, Tennessee Tech 55 percent).
The Eagles made eight different shots, with freshman forward Eva Peck leading the way with a three. Senior forward Erin Fitt, freshman defender Ella Fuller and freshman forward Carly Gilbert each had two.
League leading scorer Neve Renwick had four shots, including three, but was unable to score. Tony took two shots.
Freshman goaltender Lily Bailey starred for the Blue and Gold team, making five saves but falling to 2-3-2 on the season. Conrad also played the full 90 minutes, making five saves and improving to 3-6-4.
Morehead State continues its two-game road trip Sunday against UT Martin in Martin, Tennessee. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET. The Eagles return home Sunday, Oct. 13, and will host Southern Indiana for both Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. The start time for that contest is 1 p.m.
