NASHVILLE – A free kick with under three minutes remaining in double overtime gave Austin Peay State University women's soccer team a 2-1 loss, Sunday, against Belmont at Rose Park.
In a golden goal situation, the Bruins found the back of the net courtesy of a free kick from roughly 25 yards out. After drawing a foul on the left side of the field, Belicia Mendiola curled a shot which found a home in the upper left corner.
The Lady Govs (6-7, 2-3 OVC) were outshot 17-7 in the contest against the Bruins (3-10-1, 2-4 OVC).
Throughout the opening half, Belmont won the possession battle, which included a shot attempt 24 seconds in. In the sixth minute, the Bruins capitalized on its momentum at home to pull ahead 1-0. After combination play by Tara Austin and Heather Ferarri, the quick passes led to a goal after Sydney Scheben tapped it in from inside the box.
Austin Peay failed to record a shot until the 16th minute, the only shot taken in the first half, with sophomore Caroline Wistrom testing the opposing goalie with a shot on target.
After the Bruins continued to press forward in the second half, the Lady Govs weathered the attack by finding its rhythm. In the 79th minute, APSU scored the equalizer, with junior Nicole Wojick coming through with a crucial score. After fellow junior Gina Fabbro hit the post, Wojcik followed with a rebound shot which beat the keeper for her sixth goal of the season.
Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the Lady Govs entered double overtime for the third time in 2015. Despite making efforts to challenge in the attacking third, Austin Peay conceded the game-winner to fall in back-to-back matches.
"I was disappointed in our first half performance," head coach Kelley Guth said. "We came out flat and did not execute well, but our effort in the second half was better and we equalized. It's tough to lose games like that in overtime, but we will reboot and get focused on our next opponent."
Wojcik led the team in shots with two, while sophomore keeper Lindsey Todd made four saves in the loss.
The Lady Govs complete its three-match road trip, Thursday, as they travel to Tennessee Tech for a 7 p.m. start time.
