Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Ohio State
Golden Eagles Outlast Ohio State in Overtime
8/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 29, 2008
MILWAUKEE - MILWAUKEE - Sophomore Lauren Acree's golden goal 61 seconds into overtime gave the Marquette women's soccer team a hard-fought victory over Ohio State Friday afternoon at Valley Fields. Freshman Danielle Martens knocked in the equalizer with six seconds remaining in regulation to send into overtime. Acree was credited with the assist.
With the win the Golden Eagles move to 2-0 on the season, while the Buckeyes fall to 0-2.
"We were thrilled with our comeback effort to not only tie with six seconds left in the game, but to get the win early in overtime," said head coach Markus Roeders. "Our defending was better than our last game and our possession improved as the game progressed. Our finishing is a work in progress. We need to be able to finish the chances we make for ourselves. Overall, we are happy with the result. We beat a very good Ohio State team."
Both teams were scoreless at the end of the first 45-minute half. Marquette had plenty of opportunities to score as it out-shot the Buckeyes 8-0. Martens and sophomore Ashley Bares each registered two shots, while Acree, juniors Michelle Compty and Anna Sawicki and sophomore Kristi Laurenzi each tallied one.
Ohio State was quick to capatalize in the second half, in the 47th minute, when Emily Esbrook sent a rocket from the top of the box out of reach for freshman keeper Natalie Kulla.
For the remainder of the second stanza, Marquette owned a 14-1 shots advantage until Martens scored the game-tying goal. Acree served in the ball to Martens who was quickly swarmed by Ohio State defenders. Martens then turned the ball and sent it low to the left corner past Lauren Robertson to force overtime.
In overtime, Marquette quickly controlled the ball and moved into Buckeye territory. After a pass from Martens from the right wing, Acree created her golden opportunity by beating three Ohio State defenders and getting the open look at the goal.
Roeders was pleased with the way his team improved on finishing its chances at the end of the game.
"Give our team a lot of credit for their resiliency. They have the belief that until the final whistle is blown they have the opportunity to win. That takes focus and determination, and that is what this team has. Lauren Acree really created the first goal and then set her self up for the second. The way she scored the second goal, anyone could have done it, but it was just her day. We had too many shots from far away and too many unlucky ones that hit the post. The things we didn't do earlier, we did them finally at the end and finished."
For the game, Kulla played the entire 91:01 in net and recorded one save. Robertson was credited with three saves. Collectively, the Golden Eagles out-shot the Buckeyes 24-2.
Marquette will look to play for its fourth Milwaukee Cup title Sunday afternoon when it takes on Samford at Valley Fields at 12:30 p.m.
"We are looking forward to playing for the title on Sunday. We will see where the scores end up tonight and turn our focus to Samford."
UW-Milwaukee and Samford play game three of the Milwaukee Cup tonight at Englemann Field.
