Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Samantha Jones netted a ball in the 105th minute in the 2-1 double overtime thriller against Murray State.
"It's great to go to 2-0 in the conference," said Head Coach Derek Burton. "From a coach's standpoint I would have loved to have kept the 1-0 shutout, but the girls hung with it. It's a testament to the mental approach that our team is starting to take."
It didn't take long for the Cougars to score their first goal of the game. Freshman Emily Grahl scored her second goal of the season seven minutes into the game from 15 yards out. Katye Skrivan and Kassidy Rawdon assisted the goal.
SIUE went into the half up 1-0 and dominating the game, outshooting the Racers 9-5. In the 59th minute, Taylor Stevens scored the equalizer for Murray State on a Julie Mooney assist.
The score remained tied throughout regulation and the first overtime. SIUE senior Samantha Jones netted a ball from 20 yards out after a Michelle Auer corner kick in the 105th minute to win the game in double overtime for the Cougars. The goal is the first for Jones this season.
"It means everything to Sam and everything to her teammates," said Burton. "Obviously anytime you get an overtime winner the bench is going to go crazy, but out on the field you could feel a lot of love for Sam because everyone knows what she's battled through in terms of injuries. She's such a great leader on our team and she is so well-respected."
SIUE outshot the Racers 19-7. Jennifer Pelley notched three saves on the game.
The Cougars improve to 5-4-1 on the season and a perfect 2-0 in conference play.
SIUE returns to action at Korte Stadium Sunday at 1p.m. against UT Martin in a re-match of last season's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinal game.
