The University of Evansville women’s soccer team battled back from one-goal deficits twice, but could not hold off Middle Tennessee in overtime as the Aces fell to the Blue Raiders, 2-1, on Sunday evening in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Sophomore Mikayla Harvey and freshman Jayme-Lee Hunter each scored for the Aces (4-6), while junior Sara Osinski led with a match-high three shots. The Blue Raiders (3-4) were led by Peyton DePriest, who scored twice for Middle Tennessee, and Amber Hoot who provided the game-winning goal.
In the 14th minute, Middle Tennessee struck first as DePriest scored her first of the evening to provide the Raiders with a 1-0 advantage.
The Aces responded just six minutes later as Harvey scored off a corner kick by Osinski to tie the match at a goal a piece.
Just two minutes into the second half, Middle Tennessee went back in front on DePriest’s second goal. The lead lasted until the 83rd minute when Hunter received a pass from fellow freshman Katie Schroeder and scored from distance from the top left corner of the box to send the match to overtime.
In the first overtime, Middle Tennessee found the game-winner off the foot of Hoot, who scored from the top of the box for the 3-2 win for the Blue Raiders.
The Aces were narrowly out-shot, 17-15, while Middle Tennessee earned nine corner kicks to Evansville’s three.
Missouri Valley Conference play begins for the Aces this weekend as UE heads back home to face Loyola on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
