Mississippi State
Rice
Graben's Goal In Second Overtime Gives State Soccer 2-1 Win Over Rice
September 16, 2007 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Katelyn Graben's goal 3:16 into the second overtime gave Mississippi State (3-3-0) a 2-1 victory over Rice (3-2-1). It was her third goal of the season, and second game-winner.
"We played a great second half," said MSU head coach Neil MacDonald. "Rice was getting tired, and we really took over the game. We were organized in the back. I thought our center back and our left and right back were outstanding today, and that made a big difference."
With the game tied at one, Bethany Frazier lobbed a pass up the middle of the field. Both Graben and Rice goalkeeper Meghan Erkel converged on the ball, with Graben reaching it first, knocking it past Erkel and into the net for the winning goal.
Rice wasted no time getting on the board. Just over two minutes into the game, Erin Scott got the ball in traffic, and passed it to Kate Edwards, who put the ball into the left corner for the quick 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs' first scoring chance came six minutes later. Rice tried clearing the ball, but it went right to Heather Buttrey, who fired a shot over the net.
Late in the half, Katelyn Graben had two chances to tie the game. With just over ten minutes left, she dribbled down the right side, beat the defender, and fired a shot on net. But, Rice goalkeeper Meghan Erkel made the diving the save. Four minutes later, she flipped the ball past the defender, and then beat Erkel to it. But, her shot went just wide, and Rice held a 1-0 lead at the half.
Edwards was inches from scoring her second goal of the match 15 minutes into the second half. After MSU cleared a corner kick, Edwards fired a shot that hit off the crossbar and fell into the arms of State netminder Taryn Holland.
Rice almost made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute. Forward Erin Scott dribbled down the right side, and took a point blank shot right at Holland, who made the save. Scott picked up the rebound, and again tried to put it past Holland, but this time she made the diving save, keeping it a 1-0 game.
State finally broke through in the 84th minute. After a Rice foul, Bethany Frazier sent her free kick toward the net, where Jessica Davis was waiting. The senior headed the ball into the left corner, tying the match and sending it into overtime.
MSU was in complete control in overtime. Treena Ferguson passed to Bethany Frazier, who sent a cross towards the front of the net. Ashley Hood headed the ball on goal, but Erkel made the diving save.
Mississippi State returns to action next week when they host North Florida on Friday, September 21, at 7 p.m. (CT) before traveling to face Memphis on Sunday, September 23 at 1 p.m. (CT). Admission to all MSU soccer games is free, and fans can also follow all the action live at www.mstateathletics.com.
