Box Score
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Western Kentucky University soccer team came back from 2-1 down Sunday afternoon to Arkansas State to win 3-2 in double overtime at the WKU Soccer Complex. Redshirt-senior forward Mallory Outerbridge netted the game-tying goal with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, then scored the game-winner 5:23 into the second overtime.
"We showed a lot of character and fortitude," said head coach Jason Neidell on WKU's victory Sunday. "I was really proud of the way we fought back. Both of the teams we beat this weekend were ahead of us, so now we've climbed up the ladder."
WKU (7-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) attacked the goal early, putting three shots on frame in the first six minutes that were all stopped by Red Wolves goalkeeper Aja Aguirre. Arkansas State (3-7-2, 1-3 Sun Belt) had its first shot of the game in the 14th minute when Kara Nitti had a strike saved by redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Katlyn Barnes, making her first career start. The Lady Toppers controlled possession for a majority of the first and outshot the Red Wolves 10-2 in the first 45 minutes. WKU had a great chance to score in the 42nd minute. Kaylyn Pratt got behind the Arkansas State defense but had her shot saved by Aguirre. Lindsay Williams then attempted to put in the rebound but her shot went wide. The first half would end goalless.
Arkansas State took advantage of a Lady Toppers miscue 30 seconds into the second half to take a 1-0 lead. Christina Fink made a run into the box and Barnes came off her line to fall on the ball, only to have the ball get away from her. Michelle Clark then found the ball and knocked it in to give the Red Wolves the lead. WKU responded six minutes later when Chrissy Tchoula fooled the Arkansas State defense and goalkeeper, striking a ball from about 25 yards out and scored to level the match 1-1.
"When you're out that far it's not about finesse, it's just about power and hitting the ball correctly," remarked Tchoula on her first goal of the season. "I just wanted to hit it hard and on frame, and hopefully it was going to go in and it did."
The Red Wolves came back and took the lead again in the 63rd minute. Jena' Kelley had a shot go off the crossbar with Fink in the right spot at the right time to guide the ball into the net off the rebound to make the score 2-1. The Lady Toppers came close to tying the match in the 69th minute when Christen Sims' shot off a corner was saved by Megan Stoltzfus, who entered the match in the 58th minute. WKU continuted to pour on the offensive pressure until Pratt and Tchoula set up an Outerbridge run in the 85th minute. Outerbridge got the ball just on the edge of the 18-yard box and manuevered through the Red Wolves' defense and beat the keeper to tie the match 2-2.
It was the Red Wolves who controlled play early in the first overtime. Arkansas State came close to winning two minutes in, but Lyndsey Patterson's shot went off the crossbar. In the 94th minute, Nitti got behind the WKU defense but could not get her shot past Barnes. Arkansas State outshot the Lady Toppers 5-2 in the first overtime. WKU made sure they would get the game-winner in the second overtime, holding the Red Wolves without a shot in the second extra period. The golden goal came in the 106th minute. Sims made a run into the 18-yard box, and played a cross to Outerbridge through traffic. WKU's all-time leading goal scorer knew what to do, knocking in that cross from close range to give the Lady Toppers' a 3-2 win.
"We had to win," said Outerbridge of Sunday's game. "There's no if's, and's, or but's about it. Had we lost, we would be 1-3 in conference and we can't have that. Right now, we're 2-2 and it puts us in a good position for next weekend against FIU and Florida Atlantic."
Outerbridge's two-goal effort Sunday gives her 10 goals on the season, matching her 2010 output. Tchoula had three points on the day with a goal and an assist. Barnes made four saves in her first career win in net as a Lady Topper. For the match WKU outshot Arkansas State 23-12, putting 12 shots on goal.
The Lady Toppers return to action at the WKU Soccer Complex on Friday, October 7th with a 6 p.m match against Florida International.
