Nov. 2, 2002
Murray, Ky. - Jaime Roche's goal in the 85th minute of regulation proved to be the game-winner as Murray State defeated the Western Kentucky women's soccer team 2-1 Saturday afternoon in Murray, Ky. It was the final regular season game for the Lady Toppers, who will be playing in the Sun Belt Conference tournament next week in Mobile, Ala.
Allison Nellis (So, Louisville, Ky.) started the scoring in the first half for the Lady Toppers when she fired home her team-leading ninth goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 28th minute to make it 1-0. The Racers tied the score six minutes later when Theresa Reedy scored her eighth goal of the season with a right-to-left hook shot from 10 yards. The teams went into halftime tied, with Murray St. edging out the Lady Toppers in shots, 6-5. Western had the upper hand in corner kicks (3-2) and fouls (8-7.)
The second half was a defensive struggle until Roche's late-game heroics Roche, standing in front of the Lady Topper goal, deflected Abbie Perez's corner kick into the net for the game-winning goal. For the match, Western had the upperhand in shots (16-13) and corner kicks (6-3), and fouls (19-15)) Melissa Bailey (Jr., Bowling Green, Ky.) saved four shots but suffered the defeat for WKU.
The Lady Toppers, who have now lost three games in a row and five of their last six, finished out the regular season with a 9-8-0 record overall, including a 3-4-0 in Sun Belt play. The Racers improved their record to 8-7-2 for the season.
Western opens conference tournament play against Lousiana Lafayette on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Match time is set for 1 p.m. (CST).
