Friday, September 14, 2007

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 14, 2007) - On the first day of the ETSU Invitational presented by Citizens Bank the ETSU women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to three as they battled the Gold Eagles of Tennessee Tech to a 2-2 double overtime tie. The Bucs are now 2-1-2 on the season while the Golden Eagles are 1-3-1.

The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early lead when Rachel Martin-Trevino found the back of the net during the 18th minute. The Bucs responded quickly as newcomer Terri Miller (Cape Coral, Fla.) tied the match at 1-1 eight minutes later. Tennessee Tech then took the 2-1 advantage when Ashley Smith scored off a corner kick by Katie Hoover at the 34:59 mark.

With under a minute remaining in in the first half sophomore Jordan Monty (Mesquite, Texas) headed the ball past the Tech keeper off a corner kick from Kelly Brinkman (Clearwater, Fla.) to send the match into a 2-2 tie at halftime.

In the second half, the Bucs and Gold Eagles battled for control but remained at a deadlock to send the match into overtime. 

In the first overtime, the Buc defense was able to shut down the Tennessee Tech attack outshooting them 2-0 to send the match into a second overtime.

The ETSU defense continued to hold as they refused to allow a shot by the Golden Eagles but were unable to score as the deadlock continued through the second overtime to end the match in a 2-2 tied.

Monty led the team in shots with five, while junior transfer Katie Green (Knoxville, Tenn.) contributed three. Goalkeeper Erin Bilyeu (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) recorded three saves on the night.

For the match, the Bucs outshot the Golden Eagles 14-7 and earned 8 corner kicks.

"We didn't come out to battle early in the game and that cost us. We knew that Tennessee Tech was going to come out and battle because they are a scrappy hardworking team. We need to work on not breaking down defensively," said head coach Heather Henson. "On the offensive side of the ball we did a good job on the attack and created a lot of opportunities which unfortunately we just weren't' able to convert."

The Bucs will take on former SoCon rival Western Carolina (4-2-0) on Sunday during the last match of the ETSU Invitational. The game is set to begin at 4 p.m. For all ETSU women's soccer action, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.