Tech soccer scores twice late in the second half to capture OVC Tournament title
Tennessee Tech soccer has reached the top.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 |
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0 | 2 | 2 |
Team Stats
Lindenwood
| Game Statistics | Lindenwood | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 10 (5) | 18 (7) |
| Saves | 5 | 5 |
| Fouls | 6 | 9 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 8 |
| Offsides | 0 | 2 |
By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech soccer has reached the top.
In the program's fourth consecutive year hosting the OVC Tournament semifinals and championship match, in 2025, the fourth time proved to be the charm.
Two Katie Toney goals in the span of only 34 seconds in the 79th minute gave the Golden Eagles their lead, while TTU's defense limited Lindenwood to just one second-half shot on the way to a 2-0 victory to claim the OVC Tournament championship match. Tech's title is the program's second and first since winning the tourney crown in 2000.
The Golden Eagles (7-6-8) clinch the OVC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for also the second time in school history and will make the club's first appearance in 25 years. Tech also extended its program-record unbeaten streak to 11 in a row.
Scoreless late into the second stanza, a Tori Soutuyo ball from way outside found Toney on the fly inside the box. The Golden Eagle senior headed home Soutuyo's feed to push the purple and gold in front with a 1-0 edge in the 79th minute. Soutuyo earned an assist on Tech's historic score.
Moments later the Golden Eagles doubled up the margin after Natalie Howard was taken down inside the box. Toney stepped up to take the penalty kick and drilled the opportunity into the back of the net for her second score in the span of just 34 seconds to give Tech a 2-0 advantage.
Toney's pair of scores gives her 23 goals in her career, moving the McMinnville, Tenn. native within one goal of Angela Freund (1998-01) for second-most on the program's all-time career list.
Defensively, Tech's shutout is the program's fifth in a row to tie the 2017 Golden Eagles for consecutive clean sheets. TTU allowed only one shot in the second half, a Lily Sutter attempt in the 59th minute that was halted by Maggie Conrad.
Conrad collected five saves en route to her 24th career clean sheet and 30th career win, both second-most in program history. The senior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa was named the OVC Tournament MVP.
After being outshot 9-6 in the first half, the Golden Eagles went on to outshoot the Lions 12-1 in the second period. Toney's six tries led the match, tied for her second-most in a contest in her career. Anna Johnson led Lindenwood with three shots.
Conard joined Toney, Melina Hamm and Ebba Melin as the four Golden Eagles on the OVC All-Tournament team.
Tech will not have to wait long to learn its opponent and destination in the NCAA Tournament. The tourney's official selection show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. CT. TTU Athletics will be hosting a viewing party free for all fans in the Eagles Nest on the fourth floor of the Hooper Eblen Center.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament is slated for Friday, Nov. 14-Sunday, Nov. 16.
Photo | Jeff Bowe
