 With the game heading towards overtime, the trio of Sara Osinski, Montana Portenier, and Nicki Baham linked up for a late goal that helped give the University of Evansville women’s soccer team a 2-1 victory over UT Martin on Sunday night at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
Nearly the entire first half ticked by without many scoring chances for the Aces and Skyhawks, but senior Nicki Baham pounced late in the half when presented an opportunity. In the 43rd minute, Baham responded to a defensive miscue by UT Martin, stealing the ball and fighting through contact before finishing past the keeper to give the Aces a 1-0 lead.
The Skyhawks responded just ten minutes into the second half with a goal of their own in the 56th minute that tied the contest at a goal a piece as Katelyn Colvin whipped in a cross that Aces freshman goalkeeper Michaela Till deflected. The ball ended up at the feet of the Skyhawks’ Nicole Collins who slipped it into the back of the net.
As the clocked ticked under three minutes left in regulation, the game seemed destined for overtime. UE mounted one last effort as Baham settled the ball just beyond the top of the box and slid it to the left of the box for a sprinting Portenier. The senior dribbled and spotted Osinski making a run through the box and crossed the ball to the junior who rebounded a deflection by the keeper and clipped it into the back of the net to push the Aces back ahead, 2-1.
“That’s probably the first time in a couple years that we have had three people running in the goal at the same time and there for the putback,” said head coach Krista McKendree. “We don’t get a lot of putback goals and that is what we have really been trying to focus on is continue your run and try to get some scrap goals.”
UT Martin earned a pair of corner kicks in the final minute, but was unable to send the match to overtime.
Portenier fired a team-best two shots, adding an assist on the game-winning goal. Baham and Osinski each took just one shot, both goals, while Baham added an assist.
In goal, Till earned her first collegiate victory, making three saves and allowing one goal in the victory.
UT Martin out-shot the Aces, 13-6, but held just a single shot advantage over UE on shots on goal.
“We’ve been talking a lot about just making sure they’re willing to grind it out,” said McKendree. “For us, it’s going to be about trying to use our bench and trying to make sure we’re working as hard as we can for the time we are in there. The team bought into that tonight and I think they did what we’ve been asking them to do for the last week.”
The Aces return to action on Friday when UE hosts IUPUI for a non-conference clash at 5 p.m. at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
