ETSU played Belmont Sept. 26 in their last home game before a trip to Florida for the Atlantic Sun Conference.Seeking to end ETSU’s winning streak in A-Sun play, was the Belmont Bruins who entered the game with a one win and two losses in conference play.
Both teams struggled to get started on a wet day. ETSU had the first chance to score on a shot by Terri Miller but the Bruins goalie was able to grab the ball. The Lady Bucs continued to attack the goal after Ramey Kerns got past the goalie but was unable to put the ball away before it rolled out of bounds.
Belmont had their first chance to score a shot which was saved by ETSU goalie Megan Masch. A foul just outside of the ETSU 20-yard box gave Belmont a golden opportunity but Masch was able to get to the ball. Belmont kept the pressure on the Lady Bucs defense with a header off of a corner kick that sailed out of bounds.
ETSU went back on offense after Kayla White was able to break away with the ball but was unable to find a shot on goal. The Bruins immediately went back on the offensive with a chip shot into the box that Masch was able to grab out of mid-air. The game remained scoreless at half time.
ETSU attacked the Bruins early in the second half with a shot by Miller that was deflected by the Bruin goalie.
Belmont was the first to score after Laura Harris was able to put a loose ball in front of the net away, 1-0 Belmont.
ETSU answered right back with a cross by White that Miller was able to head in for a 1-1 tie game in the 65th minute.
ETSU took the lead in the 81st minute after Miller broke through the Bruin defense and scored for a 2-1 ETSU lead. Belmont needed to answer back but were unable to score until in the waning minutes of the game when Marcela Sanchez put a loose ball into the net for a 2-2 tie game at the end of regulation.
The first overtime remained scoreless. Both teams failed to control the ball long enough to score, sending the game into double overtime.
Belmont was able to put the game away in the 107th minute off of a penalty kick from 35 yards out, for a 3-2 Belmont victory.
“There is no textbook in overtime,” said coach Henson. “It comes down to a gut check.”
ETSU falls to two wins and a lose in conference play as they head out on the road for a two-game swing through Florida before returning home on Oct. 8th to face A-Sun rival Florida Gulf Coast.
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