Pritchard survives contact, lifts MSU to 1-0 OT win over Zias
October 30, 2011
WICHITA FALLS, Texas - On a day when the confines of the MSU Soccer Field felt a little too close for comfort, it was fitting that a play designed for more space made all the difference for the Mustangs.
Maddie Fraser chipped a ball over the ENMU wall just 15 yards away from goal to allow Lindsay Pritchard a chance to brave contact from the Zia goalkeeper to slide the ball into goal and give the Mustangs a 1-0 overtime decision.
"That play is disigned to be at least 25-30 yards out," MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. "I thought we ran it a little to close to the goal. It was a brave goal and Lindsay knew the contact was coming."
It was all necessitated by a foul just out side of the box near the right wing seven minutes into the first overtime and Pritchard, who served in her sixth goal of the season, would have as soon to avoid the collision.
"I''m not sure (if I expected the contact)," she said. "I would have liked to have avoided it, but that''s a play that has been successful. I''m glad we finally got a break to work in our favor."
Pritchard appeared to have a bead on the ball before ENMU goalkeeper Sierra Cardenas initiated contact near her shoulder area. Pritchard felt the contact from the keeper before the ball deflected off of her and roll into the goal.
The Mustangs, who improved to 11-5-2 on the season and to 9-4-1 in league play, goes in to the Lone Star Conference Championship postseason tournament the No. 2 seed and will face either Eastern New Mexico or West Texas A&M in the semifinal round Friday at the ACU Soccer Pitch in Abilene. Kickoff is set for noon.
It seemed to be another one of those games for Midwestern. The Mustangs dominated possession throughout the contest and owned a decisive 26-4 edge in shot over the Zias, who seemed content on packing in on the defensive third.
MSU placed seven shots on frame with most falling in a fast flurry starting in the match''s 80th minute.
Emily Saville struck the crossbar on a floater from the left wing before Cardenas made save on headers by Kelsey Hill and off of a corner kick to Hanna Staley.
The Zias countered with their lone dangerous chance of the contest, but Alysha Carrasco''s shot the lower left corner was pushed out of goal by MSU goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth who made three saves to secure her fifth shutout of the season.
Eastern New Mexico (8-7-3, 6-5-3) takes on West Texas A&M in the opening round of the LSC Championship Thursday afternoon in Abilene.
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