Golden Eagles hope to make postseason push in crucial homestand
October 12, 2011

Golden Eagles hope to make postseason push in crucial homestand

After Kris Cambron’s game-winning overtime goal at Jacksonville State on Friday breathed new life into Tennessee Tech’s bid to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, the Golden Eagles hope to keep the momentum rolling in crucial two-game homestand this weekend.

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Tech hosts Murray State in "Think Pink" game on Friday, Austin Peay for Senior Day Sunday

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — After Kris Cambron's game-winning overtime goal at Jacksonville State on Friday breathed new life into Tennessee Tech's bid to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, the Golden Eagles hope to keep the momentum rolling in a crucial two-game homestand this weekend.

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Golden Eagles need to win at least two to put themselves in position to qualify for the tournament.

That quest begins Friday, Oct. 14 when Murray State visits Tech Soccer Field for a 3 p.m. showdown that will also serve as a "Think Pink" game in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The weekend continues with the Golden Eagles hosting Austin Peay for Senior Day on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.

"Hopefully we can carry our momentum into this weekend," said head coach Daniel Brizard. "Obviously I'd like to win all four of the games we have left, but if we can win two of them, we think we'll have a shot at the conference tournament. …I think the girls are coming along. I don't think the results justify how well they actually are playing. A win like (Friday's at JSU) just goes to solidify the fact that we can actually play."

The Golden Eagles and Gamecocks took a 1-1 deadlock deep into a second overtime period on Friday before Cambron delivered the game-winner in the 108th minute on a straight-on strike from 40 yards out.

"We had the majority of the possession during the game, and we had some clear opportunities we could have finished besides the one we did," Brizard said. "Kris just hit a great shot. She had enough presence to turn around and crack one on frame, and we've been on the other end of a few of those this year, so it's nice to have one go our way. I ran onto the field like a screaming schoolgirl. It was exciting. I want them to be excited, and I think it starts with us."

On Friday, the team will take donations at the gate as well as throw out pink T-shirts to the crowd and wear pink wristbands during the game. All donations will go to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

On Sunday, Tech will honor senior defender Lindsey Reed, a four-year player for the squad, as well as senior reserve Mary Gray Johnson and student assistant Krista Kaump.

Admission to all regular-season games is free.

NOTES:

-Kris Cambron's goal against Jacksonville State was Tech's first overtime game-winner since Cambron delivered a lob shot over the goalie from 15 yards out in the Golden Eagles' 2-1 win over Morehead State in the semifinals of the OVC Tournament on Nov. 6, 2009.  Like her Friday goal, Cambron also scored that goal in the 108th minute.

-Cambron and Ellie Iaciofano both scored goals against Jacksonville State, and together they share the team lead in points with seven on the season. Cambron has scored two goals and distributed three assists while Iaciofano has scored three goals and notched one assist.

-Goalkeeper Becca Toler ranks eighth in NCAA Division I this week in goalie minutes played. The sophomore from Collierville, Tenn., has played 1,397 minutes this season, every minute of every match Tech has played. Senior defender Lindsey Reed has accomplished the same feat, also notching 1,397 minutes this season.

SCOUTING MURRAY STATE

Murray State comes into Friday's game with a 3-7-2 overall record and an 0-2-1 mark in OVC play. The Racers stepped out of conference play this past weekend, scoring a 6-0 victory over Alabama A&M. In league play, Murray State has tied UT Martin and lost to Southeast Missouri and Austin Peay.

Tech is 5-6-1 all-time against Murray State with the last meeting between the two squads resulting in a 3-0 MSU victory in Murray on Oct. 8, 2010.

The Racers are scoring 1.25 goals per game this season while surrendering 1.83. Tech is scoring 1.07 goals per game and giving up 1.67.

Murray State is led offensively by Shauna Wicker and Julie Mooney. Wicker, a sophomore forward/midfielder has scored six goals this season while Mooney, a freshman forward/midfielder, has scored five and distributed two assists.

SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay owns a 7-5 overall record and a 1-2 mark in conference play and will play at Jacksonville State on Friday before visiting Cookeville on Sunday. The Governors are coming off a 2-1 win over Murray State on Oct. 2. Austin Peay has suffered conference losses to both Southeast Missouri and UT Martin.

Tech is 7-2 all-time against the Governors, with the most recent meeting between the two schools resulting in a 2-1 victory for APSU in Cookeville on Oct. 24, 2010. Kerri Reid scored the Golden Eagles' goal in the game.

The Governors are scoring 3.08 goals per game while giving up 1.17 per outing. Austin Peay is led offensively by Tatiana Ariza, who ranks fourth in NCAA Division I in goals per game, averaging 2.67 scores per outing. She has 32 points on the season by virtue of 13 goals and six assists. Ariza, a sophomore forward, played for Colombia in the 2011 Women's World Cup.