Box Score Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – Maria Owen's goal in the 109th minute of the second overtime propelled the Liberty Flames past Winthrop 1-0 on Friday evening at Eagle Field in Big South Conference action.
The goal by Owen was created when she received a through pass from Madison Short 25-yards out. Owens dribbled several yards and put it past Winthrop goalkeeper Kelsy Weavil in the bottom right of the net.
The Lady Eagles fall to 3-7-1 overall and 0-2 in the conference, while the Lady Flames improve to 5-6-1 on the season and 2-0-1 in conference play.
“It's a tough loss,” said head coach Melissa Heinz. “The girls battled, and worked and played hard. They played to win, but there was one moment where we didn't.”
The first half was a defensive battle for both teams as they were held scoreless, although the two teams had several opportunities each during the first 45 minutes.
Winthrop had several chances in the first five minutes of action putting pressure deep in the defense, but Liberty kept the Lady Eagles from scoring early in the match.
The Lady Flames had their first attempt of the match in the 13th minute when Silvia Betancourt received a crossing pass from the far right side in front of the 18-yard box, and her shot sailed high.
Liberty had another opening later on in the half on a free kick from 35-yards out. The ball bounced over the head of Winthrop goalkeeper Kelsy Weavil, but a Lady Eagle defender was there to clear the ball out.
A leaping save by Lady Flames goalkeeper Karen Blocker after a header by Lia Gordon right before the end of the first half halted Winthrop's last chance before heading into the locker room. Stevie Lucas took the free kick from 40-yards out after a penalty and the ball bounced over a group of players to Gordon.
Liberty wasted no time in the second half applying force on the Lady Eagles defense after Weavil stopped a shot by Aimee Luurtsema on a through pass by Betancourt.
Winthrop responded with an opportunity in the 84th minute on a corner kick by Tiana Tallant. Her pass dropped into a crowd of players right in front of the net, and the initial shot by Tricia Vensel was blocked and then the follow-up shot by Courtney Durbin went wide right.
The Lady Eagles best chance of the half came at the end when a cross by Kylie Long was headed by Durbin inside of 10-yards, but Blocker was there to prevent Winthrop from scoring the potential game-winning goal.
In the 108th minute of action, prior to goal scored Owen, Andrea McMaster's shot from just in front of the goal was saved on a diving stop by Blocker.
Winthrop outshot the Lady Flames 20-7 during the match and 11-3 in shots on-goal. The 20 shots were a season-high. The Lady Eagles also held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
“We had the most shots I think we have had all season,” Heinz added. “We're doing it right and it was our win to have. Unfortunately, in any game the ball doesn't bounce your way. The last two minutes it didn't bounce our way.”
Vensel led Winthrop with five shots on the evening, while Tallant and Ariel Kunde both had two shots on-target. Durbin added three shots, and Weavil finished the match with two saves.
Owen had a total of four shots and two shots on-goal, both were team-highs for Liberty. Blocker snagged 11 saves in match.
“I compliment every player on our team for giving everything they had and just competing,” said Heinz. “We'll take this same energy and fight that we had tonight and carry it over into Sunday (against High Point). This is the best that I have seen our team play.”
The Lady Eagles will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 11 as they will stay in conference to host the High Point Panthers at 2 p.m.
