The Citadel 1, Chattanooga 1 (2OT)
Charleston, S.C. ? The Citadel and Chattanooga battled to a 1-1 double overtime draw in Southern Conference women’s soccer action Wednesday afternoon at WLI Field. Freshman forward Rachelle Ornelas netted a ball with just under 10 minutes left in regulation to even the score and send the match into overtime.
Chattanooga started the scoring in the first half as Chelsea Hurst netted her team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Maya Peel chipped it to Hurst who then pulled Bulldog keeper Brit Bunnell out of the box and knocked a diagonal shot into the lower left-hand corner. UTC outshot the Bulldogs, 12-7, but The Citadel’s were more on target as they had five on goal to the Mocs’ seven.
“I thought we played our best soccer in the first half of the game,” said head coach Bob Winch. “We really moved the ball well.”
The Dogs were able to avoid shutout as Ornelas was able to score in the 80th minute. Sarah Burke picked up the assist as her touch led to Ornelas firing it into the back of the net. The Mocs again enjoyed an advantage in shots, but Bunnell was solid in front of the net as she made 10 stops in the second half alone.
“The second half was more of a physical game and we lost our ability to play a little,” added Winch.
Both defenses held strong in the overtime periods as only four combined shots were taken. Chattanooga got off a shot in the first overtime, but The Citadel was unable to charge to the net.
The Bulldogs’ best opportunity for the win came on a shot off the foot of Sarah Burke in the start of the second overtime. Burke’s shot barely missed and hit the crossbar, while Chattanooga keeper Stacey Matthiessen was able to come up with the rebound in the middle of a group of Bulldog defenders.
“We had a great opportunity to at the end but I would say the tie was a fair result for both teams,” commented Winch.
Bunnell added to her career saves record as she made 16 total stops for the Bulldogs. Matthiessen, currently the leader in the conference, was credited with nine saves.
The dual marks the second time this season the Dogs have ended in a tie as they battled Charleston Southern, 1-1 on Sept. 20. It is also the second time this year that The Citadel has taken a conference opponent to overtime as Wofford took a 2-1 victory in double-overtime on Oct. 6.
The Citadel will host their final game of the regular season as they take on UNC Greensboro on Friday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. at WLI Field. The Bulldogs will also celebrate senior day prior to the match. The Lady Mocs will close out the regular season on the road at Davidson this Sunday, Oct. 29 against the Wildcats at 1 p.m.