Phil Brahm | Staff Reporter
Posted Sept. 11, 2014; 2:25 p.m.
Capturing their first win of the season, the women’s soccer team defeated Missouri S&T Tuesday in a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 overtime victory.
Making the trip to Rolla, Missouri the Lions looked to bounce back after Sunday’s 3-1 loss to UMSL. This would be the team’s first game without last season’s lead scorer, sophomore midfielder Kat Roe, whose season came to an end when she broke her foot against the Tritons. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the team was able to come together and rise to the challenge.
Getting her first start of the season, freshman Lauren Groathouse would protect the net for the Lions. Due to a number of off target shots and solid defensive play by her teammates, she would not be tested until the 23rd minute when she stepped in front of a shot by Sabrina Hostler.
Just three minutes later Hostler would take another shot at the new goalie, this time finding the back of the net off steal as she scored for the second time this year. Groathouse’s would quickly brush off goal, making two more saves to close out the half. At the end of the first 45 minutes the Lions found themselves down 0-1.
The second half would be a defensive battle with both teams struggling to light up the scoreboard. The Lions were able to create several scoring opportunities racking up 7 shots, but were would not be able to finish as the back of the net could not be found. Groathouse would keep LU in the game, making a vital save in the 64th minute holding the deficit at one.
It would not be until the 80th minute when LU would finally catch their break. Off an assist by sophomore Jackie, junior Shannon Stewart launched a ball from the top of the box; tying the game and finding new life for the Lions.
Stewart explained how the goal did more than just put her team on the scoreboard.
“We were getting frustrated because we couldn’t score,” Stewart said. “That goal got us back in the game and in the right mindset to come back and get the W.”
Eager to capture the first win of the season the Lions headed into overtime.
Seven minutes into extra time, freshman Becky Roberts taking the ball on a long run down the left side of the field, sent a shot past the Miner’s goalie from 15 yards out.
“I was in shock when it hit the back of the net. I really could not believe what had just happened,” Roberts said. “At the same time, I had a rush of excitement knowing we had just won our first game of the season.”
While it was Roberts’ touch that closed out the game, she also noted that if it were not for all of her teammates playing through the exhaustion it would not have been possible to walk away with the win
“When it comes to overtime, you let your mind take over and do not worry about having already played for over 90 minutes.” Roberts said.
With this win, the team captured the first win of the season and now holds a record of 1-1-1.
After playing three games over the course of five days, the Lions will get some much-deserved rest. As they prepare for their next match the team will look to carry the momentum from their first victory of 2014.
“This is a huge win for us. Now we need to build off of it and get a winning streak going,” Stewart said. “We need to keep playing with the heart & effort we played with against S&T.”
LU will be back in action on Sept. 16 when they travel to Truman State to face the Bulldogs.
