Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After 89 minutes of scoreless action, senior captain, Jessica Ralph decided enough was enough. With 52 seconds left in regulation, her shot got past Trevecca goalkeeper, Marina Parker, for the game-winning goal.
Ralph scored her 38th career goal in the 90th minute that put the Lady Tigers on top and tied the record for career goals set by Megan Campbell in 2011.
But before the fireworks happened in last minute of play, there was 88 minutes before, that may have not been as exciting.
The game started off quick for both teams. In the eighth minute, Abbie Alosi had a shot on goal that CU goalkeeper Brandie Hagerman saved. Then right back down the field, Mhairi Fyfe had a shot in the 11th minute that was saved by Trevecca's Parker.
The Lady Tigers had trouble getting shots off in the first period. Only two shots were recorded for CU and they both came from Fyfe. Trevecca on the other hand, ended the first half with seven total shots.
"The first period was a 50-50 battle," said coach Thom Jones. "They were controlling the midfield by playing a 4-5-1 (formation). And that was something we had to change at half time."
A formation of four defenders and five midfielders is something Jones' teeam hasn't seen much of this season, and he had to counter his attack for the second half.
The game went back and fourth through the first 89 minutes. Neither team could get on the scoreboard.
The pressure was heavier on the Lady Tiger defense during the first period, but the defense did not falter.
Hagerman had multiple saves that kept the Lady Trojans scoreless. She recorded three of those saves in the first period and one big save late in the second period.
"The defense played very well tonight." Jones said. "They did their job and we got the shutout; which is a great reward for our defense. Brandie played great but it was a total defensive effort tonight."
At the start of the second half, Campbellsville came out with some fire and recorded five shots in the first 20 minutes of the second period.
"We changed our system to a 3-5-2," Jones explained. "That gave us the chance to win the battle at midfield and get more shots, the girls answered the challenge."
Freshman, Chelsea Gill, had a shot blocked in the 46th minute that led the aggressive play for the Lady Tigers. Bailey McDonough, Morgan Danis, Kathryn Thomas and Ralph followed with shots of their own throughout the second half.
With only 52 seconds left on the clock, Ralph got a pass from Fyfe and set up a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
"Jess made a great play," Jones said. "Mhairi played the ball past the defense, and Jess tucked it in."
When the goal was scored, the Lady Tiger bench went absolutely bonkers.
"It just shows that you have to play hard for the full 90 minutes," Jones exclaimed. "Never give up and good things will happen."
And did the good things happen tonight. Trevecca ousted the Lady Tigers last season in the NCCAA Mid-East Regional Finals with a score of 2-0. And the Lady Trojans are currently ranked No. 11 in the NCCAA.
"This was a great win for us," Jones said. "We finally got over the hump with Trevecca. And this will prepare us for our first conference game Tuesday."
The Lady Tigers (2-1-1) will face off against No. 13 Cumberland University on Tuesday in Lebanon, Tenn. Campbellsville is looking to avenge another loss from last season that shattered their hopes of post-season play. The Lady Bulldogs beat CU 1-0 in the 2012 Mid-South Conference semifinals.
The game against Cumberland University is set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
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