Howard scores twice as Golden Eagles top Lindenwood
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Natalie Howard claimed two scores on Sunday afternoon as she helped lead Tennessee Tech to a decisive 4-1 victory over Lindenwood to pick up the first back-to-back victories for the Golden Eagles this season and improve to 2-0-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference. After scoring five goals in non-conference competition, Tech (2-6-6 overall) has scored 10 goals in its last two games to triple its offensive output.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
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2 | 2 | 4 |
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1 | 0 | 1 |
Team Stats
Lindenwood
| Game Statistics | Tennessee Tech | Lindenwood |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 12 (7) | 13 (5) |
| Saves | 4 | 3 |
| Fouls | 14 | 7 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 3 |
| Offsides | 0 | 1 |
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Natalie Howard claimed two scores on Sunday afternoon as she helped lead Tennessee Tech to a decisive 4-1 victory over Lindenwood to pick up the first back-to-back victories for the Golden Eagles this season and improve to 2-0-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
After scoring five goals in non-conference competition, Tech (2-6-6 overall) has scored 10 goals in its last two games to triple its offensive output.
Allison Lee put the Golden Eagles on the board first just seconds into the 21st minute. Katie Toney fed the ball to Lucia Cuadra, who attempted a header into the goal. However, the ball was deflected by Lion keeper Caroline Ritter and ran parallel to the goal line. Allison Lee played clean-up duty to complete the score and give the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead.
It wasn't long before Tech was on the board again as the ball pinballed around Melina Hamm and Tori Soutuyo. Once the ball got to Howard, she directed the ball into the net to give Tech the 2-0 edge.
The Golden Eagles looked to get out of the first half with a clean slate, but a foul against Tech was called in the box at 43:57, putting Lily Sutter on the mark for a penalty kick. The try was good, cutting Tech's advantage in half at 2-1 going into the intermission.
Howard's second goal came at 60:42 as she raced toward the Lions' goal on a 2-on-1 with Cuadra following to the left sandwiching the Lindenwood defender. Howard fired to the left corner, beating Ritter to the side and putting Tech back up by two.
Barely five minutes passed before the Golden Eagles put in their final goal. Melina Hamm lined up for the free kick and sent a cross to the left side of the goal. Claire Palya headed the ball perfectly and in for the score in the 66th minute.
Lindenwood had another penalty kick try in the 77th minute off of a handball foul in the box. Mackenzie Compton's attempt sailed wide right, preserving the three-goal advantage.
Maggie Conrad went 87 of the match's 90 minutes, collecting four saves. Addison Johnson played the final three minutes and scooped up a save in the lone Lion attempt in her tenure.
Ritter, who entered the match with a 0.91 goals allowed average, saw four Tech goals with three saves.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Thursday as they travel to Morehead State for a 3 p.m. Central kick. Tech returns home next Sunday for a meeting with UT Martin at Tech Soccer Field.
