Bucs dominate statistically, but are unable to seal the victory

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (August 26, 2011) – The ETSU women’s soccer team outshot and outplayed Tennessee Tech for most of the match on Friday night at Summers-Taylor Stadium, but could not come out victorious in a, 2-1, defeat. Ellie Iaciofano put in the go-ahead goal midway through the second half, and the Golden Eagles fought off every chance ETSU put forth through the remainder of the match.

“Again it was similar to last week; we dominated in spurts and created a lot of chances,” said head coach Adam Sayers. “There were times when we were playing well and moving the ball quickly. When we didn’t do that, we gave momentum back to Tennessee Tech and they took advantage of it.”

The two squads played a close first half and although ETSU dominated, 11-4, in shots and, 6-0, in corners through the second 45 minutes, Tennessee Tech put in the goal that seemed to be eluding the Bucs all night.

Tennessee Tech (1-2-0) would strike first with a goal 26 minutes into the game. With the ball loose in the ETSU box, Tennessee Tech’s Andrea Meloff fired a shot that seemed all but in, but goalkeeper Caitlin Gaughan (Indianapolis, Ind.) made a diving save, fully extending herself to the right. The ensuing rebound went straight for Sara Gawthrop and, with Gaughan recovering from the save, Gawthrop sent in the chance to give Tennessee Tech the early, 1-0, advantage.

“Again I thought we had a slow start,” said Sayers. “We didn’t really begin to play like we know we can until we were one goal down. That cost us because it made it a very close game and it gave us a hill to climb.”

The Bucs (0-2-0) recovered quickly. Three minutes after the goal, ETSU cleared a corner attempt from Tennessee Tech and junior Morgan Thomas (Maryville, Tenn.) collected the ball, dribbled up the left side of the field and spotted freshman Jenna Caudle (Middletown, Md.) cutting through the Golden Eagle defense. In a race down the field, Caudle beat the Golden Eagles to Thomas’ through ball and fired a shot from 18 yards out that bent right over the hands of Tennessee Tech’s Becca Toler and found the upper right corner of the net for the equalizing goal.

Tennessee Tech outshot ETSU, 7-5, through the first half.

The Bucs came out of the locker room with an edge, blasting a flurry of shots and creating multiple chances through the first ten minutes of the second half. Freshman Emilee Engelhaupt (Charlotte, N.C.) took a chance two minutes into the half before her fellow classmate Taylor Maxson (Lewisville, Texas) would take a dangerous corner and follow that up with three shots before Tennessee Tech could get near the ETSU goal.

Though the Bucs seemed to have regained their form and were heavily pressuring Tennessee Tech’s defense, misfortune would halt ETSU in its tracks. Bringing the ball down the left side of the field, Tennessee Tech sent in a cross that slipped from the hands of Gaughan and created havoc. With the ball suddenly loose near the ETSU goal, Meloff blasted what looked to be a sure goal, but Gaughan, again, dove and saved the shot; however, (just like Tennessee Tech’s first goal) the rebound scattered and this time found Iaciofano who put away the opportunity to sneak the Golden Eagles back on top with 25 minutes to play.

The Buccaneers outshot Tennessee Tech, 6-2, through the remainder of the game, but none of their chances could find the net as the Golden Eagles secured their first victory of 2011, while keeping the Bucs searching for their first win.

“What I liked was when we did play well, when it was 1-1 for large portions of the second half, we looked like the dominant team,” said Sayers. “We moved the ball quickly, moved ourselves quickly and we were able to create some good chances. Unfortunately, that didn’t result in a win tonight.”

The ETSU women’s soccer team will take the pitch just 46 hours after concluding tonight’s match, as they will travel to Radford, Va. on Sunday, August 28 to take on Radford at 7 p.m.

For more information on ETSU women’s soccer please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women’s soccer links.