ADA – East Central University’s Lady Tigers showed mighty relentless grit late in regulation and overtime, overcoming a 2-1 deficit and capturing a 3-2 decision over Missouri Western State Friday to open the 2011 soccer season in the Great American Conference/Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Challenge at Lady Tiger Field.

Stephanie Flores scored off a double assist from Ashley Bradford and Katie Glutz in the 85^th minute of regulation and Bradford tallied the game winner off a Margaret Glutz feed in the 95^th minute for the golden goal and win.

“When we got down 2-1, we switched to a more aggressive formation and pulled Laura McNab from the back and up into the midfield. I think it helped and got them (the Griffons) back on their heels,” said ECU head coach Riley Bailey. “Overall, it was a good team effort by everyone. It’s good to start the season with a win against a quality MIAA opponent.”

Missouri Western jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage in the ninth minute as K.C. Ramsell scored off an Ashley Juravich assist.

But the Lady Tigers finally answered the call in the 21^st minute as Jessica Syswerda launched a long line-drive kick from about 35 yards out. The ball bounced off the crossbar but McNab was there to score off the header from point-blank range to make it 1-1.

The Griffons then upped the count to 2-1 in the 73^rd minute as Ramsell scored from eight yards out off an Ashlyn Castillo feed.

That’s when ECU finally cranked up the pressure up front.

It paid off when Glutz took a pass down the right sideline and crossed the ball to Bradford, who used a body trap to deflect the ball to Flores, who kicked in the ball into the goal while being stationed at near the right post and in the goal mouth.

Bradford then took a long pass from Margaret Glutz to score from point-blank range for the game-winner.

Lady Tiger goalkeeper Natalie Wilson was credited with a pair of saves while Kelly Voigts registered six for the Griffons. ECU held a whopping 24-8 overall shot advantage and a 9-4 edge in shots on goal.

In an earlier game on Friday, Southwestern Oklahoma State and Emporia State battled to a 1-1 double-overtime draw.

The next action for the Lady Tigers will be Sunday when they face Emporia State at 2:30 p.m. at Lady Tiger Field in Ada. SWOSU and Missouri Western will do battle prior to that at noon on the same field to wrap up play in the GAC/MIAA Challenge.

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