Sunday, September 10, 2006

MARTIN, Tenn. (September 10, 2006) - ETSU and Murray State locked in a defensive battle, Sunday afternoon, leading to a 2-2 double-overtime deadlock in a non-conference matchup at the Puma Skyhawk Invitational. The Bucs are now 0-5-1 on the season, while Murray State stands at 1-3-1.

The Bucs came out fighting as they unloaded an offensive onslaught, outshooting the Racers 6-1 in the first period. Scoring opened in the first half as junior Adrian Mobley (Framingham, Mass.) dribbled to midfield and fired a shot in the goal area. ETSU would continue control of the first half as the score remained 1-0 heading into halftime.

In the second period, the Bucs and Racers battled back and forth until Murray State's Krista Llewellyn scored on a pass from Lacey Latimer to tie the match at 1-1 in the 62nd minute of play. Almost 15 minutes later, the Racers scored on a free kick by Sara Struve to take the 2-1 lead.

With less than three minutes remaining in the game, senior Emily Fulcher (New Bern, N.C.) found the back of the net on a corner kick by Kim Jones (Springfield, Va.) to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, the Racers made two shots while the Bucs were held without a shot. However, ETSU's defense continued to battle and forced the game into a second overtime.

The deadlock would continue through the second overtime session to end the game with the 2-2 final score.

"The team came out and really battled for 110 minutes," said head coach Heather Henson. "Adrian scored a great goal in the first half, Emily was able to tie it up for us, and Lindsay [Metcalf Mars Hill, N.C.] was in the goal and has just been giving us everything she's got. We're still feeling the effects of our injuries, but I'm really proud of the way they came out and battled for the entire length of the game."

Overall shots were almost even with Murray State at 17 and ETSU at 14. The Bucs were able to out-corner the Racers 9-6 and keeper Lindsey Metcalf had six saves on the day.

ETSU's next match is set for Sunday, September 17, at 1 p.m. CST against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tenn.