Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.— A hot sunny day at E.S. Rose Park and a stellar performance by the Belmont Bruins. After a tied 1-1 match in regulation Belmont University's Maci Pekmezian scores the golden goal in double overtime with 12 seconds left to play against The University of Tennessee Chattanooga clinching the first win of the season.
The Belmont Bruins worked hard and kept their focus in the first half after UTC scored their sole goal of the match. In the 12th minute UTC had a free kick near the Belmont bench, Maggie Shaw sent it into the box and her sister Samantha Shaw settled and scored going past goalie Sarah Doyle. The Bruins did not let this goal effect their mentality as they continued to connect passes and create opportunities for themselves. In the first half the Bruins had four shots on goal and dominated possession especially in the last five minutes of the half.
The Bruins came out hot in the second half scoring the tying goal in the second minute. Rachel Vernon sent a free kick in UTC's half into the box where freshman Leah Firsdon headed into the bottom corner of the net. Tonight's match was Firsdon's first collegiate start as well as her first. collegiate goal. As seen on the pitch this goal boosted the Bruin's confidence for the rest of the match. The Bruin's amped up their intensity levels on the field as well as on the bench. Belmont maintained their possession and was strategic near the UTC goal. The Bruin's took four corner kicks in the last ten minutes of regulation.
In the first ten-minute overtime the Bruins recorded three shots but neither team was able score. With 30 seconds left on the clock Doyle sent a goal kick into UTC's half. Sophomore Maci Pekmezian received a cross from Firsdon at the top of the box with only 12 seconds left to play settling and shooting with her left foot soaring past the Mocs goalie. This was Peckmezian's first collegiate goal and Firsdon's first recorded assist.
Pekmezian describes her excitement after her golden goal, "it was my first college goal, it was crazy, with a minute left, I just remember laying on the floor after and I couldn't get up."
Head Coach Heather Henson comments on the first win of the season, "Any win feels great, an overtime win is on top of that and to score the goal off of what we were working on this week is super exciting,"
Coach Henson commends Peckmezian on her composure in scoring the golden goal, "being able to get the cross in from Leah and her composure to bring the ball down, get it again, get her body set, and the composure to finish it. I'm excited for her because that's a great opportunity for her in learning that composure is so powerful."
Coach Henson thanks the fans for attending the game, "they help push us and raise us to play at a higher level."
The Bruins will travel to Athens, Ga. to take on the University of Georgia at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, August 29.
