MOREHEAD – Morehead State women's soccer coach Paul Cox saw some fight out of his team that has him believing his club is on the right track in Thursday night's match with Tennessee Tech at the Tech Soccer Field.
Unfortunately, it was not enough, as the host Golden Eagles topped MSU 1-0.
A pair of game-turning plays stung the Blue and Gold: an early hand ball that led to a free-kick goal and a late missed penalty kick.
Despite suffering its second straight defeat to a foe among the top teams of the Ohio Valley Conference table, Cox thinks the Eagles are a contender.
"Another disappointing result and a tough one to take. I thought we were the better team but unfortunately, (we) couldn't put away our chances," he said. "We've had a couple of season-defining moments in the last two games, but what I see from this young squad is quality, hunger and a will to win. We will bounce back from this blip no doubt."
Tennessee Tech (3-7-4/3-1-0) extended its shutout streak to 348 minutes and 30 seconds with another outstanding effort by reigning OVC Goalkeeper of the Week Maggie Conrad, as the Tech junior stopped her third penalty kick in as many games.
Morehead State (5-5-3/2-2-0) took the game's first three shots, but it was the hosts who got on the board first at the 6:22 mark when reigning OVC Offensive Player of the Week Katie Toney converted a Lucia Cuadra free kick.
A handball called on graduate student defender
Anna Lohrer led to a 40-yard free kick taken by Cuadra in the center of the field. Toney ran onto the ball and from eight yards out on the left side just outside the goal box, slide-kicked it to the right post.
Both teams finished the first half with seven shots and one corner kick in the evenly-matched game.
Again, in the second half, the Eagles took the first three shots. Tennessee Tech did not even get off an attempt until more than 25 minutes into the final period.
The visitors best chance at a goal came with one minute and 56 seconds to play when Meredith Nye tripped up junior midfielder
Kennedy Baquero on the upper left side of the box and sophomore forward
Hedda Ornberg was tasked with taking the penalty kick and potentially tying the game. But Ornberg's ground shot toward the left post was caught by Conrad.
The drama did not end there as seconds after the PK, Golden Eagle head coach Corey Boyd was first assessed with a yellow card and then a red one. However, MSU never got another attempt on goal as TTU pulled away with its third consecutive victory, earning redemption for the team which suffered an overtime defeat at home to the Eagles in last year's conference championship.
It was the second straight home win for Tech, while the Eagles fell to 3-3-2 in away contests this fall, ending a two-game road unbeaten streak. It was the first time Morehead State was shut out in six games. Tennessee Tech improved to 2-3-2 on its own field this season.
The win improved TTU's all-time record against the Eagles to 14-12-4 overall and 8-4-3 at home.
MSU held a slight edge in total shots (13-11), while both teams recorded 12 fouls, three offside violations and five saves. The Golden Eagles took more corner kicks (3-1) and grabbed the advantage in possession percentage (51 to 49). Both sides had the ball in their opponent's offensive zone for nearly the same amount of time (56 percent for Morehead State and 55 percent for Tennessee Tech).
Eight different Eagles got off shots, with freshman forward
Ava Peck leading the way with three. Senior forward
Erin Fite, freshman defender
Ella Fuller and freshman forward
Carly Gilbert each had two.
League scoring leader Neve Renwick got off a game-high four shots, including three on goal, but was unable to register a point. Toney took two shots.
Freshman goalkeeper
Lilly Bailey went the distance and made five saves for the Blue and Gold but fell to 2-3-2 on the season. Conrad also played all 90 minutes and collected five saves and improved to 3-6-4.
Morehead State continues its two-game road trip with a Sunday matchup against UT Martin in Martin, Tenn. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. The Eagles return home on Sunday, Oct. 13 to host Southern Indiana on both Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. That contest has a 1 p.m. start time.
