ETSU women’s soccer suffered defeat 2-1 on their home-turf in double overtime against the Western Carolina Catamounts. This has the Bucs at 3-5-2 overall this season.
This first SoCon match of the season was started by junior Sarah Connelly (Ballygowan, Northern Ireland), not long after the Catamounts were awarded a corner kick.
“We were playing well, competing, putting them under pressure,” said head coach Adam Sayers. “We started the game well, though we could have done better.”
The game was paused only 18 minutes into the game after flashes of lightning became a hazard to the players’ safety. Almost two hours later after the original lightning delay was called, the game resumed, but the Bucs could not pick back up the pace during the first half.
The Catamounts were awarded three corner kicks during the first half alone, which were all sent away by the Bucs. They received their first goal with 17 minutes left of the first half, which sent the Bucs into full game mode.
The first half ended with the Catamounts leading 1-0.
During the second half, the Bucs were in it to win it by changing the shape of their play. The Bucs were finally able to score their one goal in the match with a shot from Connelly.
The Bucs tied the game 1-1 putting the game into overtime. After 15 minutes of extra play, the Catamounts were the first to find the back of the net after a free kick from just over 20 yards out.
“Got a fantastic goal, playing well in overtime. It was just a great free kick that won it; really pleased with the second half performance, as well as the overtime performance,” said Sayers. “Outside of that final shot we didn’t really have a threat.”
The Bucs play next on Monday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where they will take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs.
