COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - SIUE women's soccer captured its third consecutive Ohio Valley Conference tournament title Sunday, besting tournament host Tennessee Tech 1-0 in the championship final.
With Sunday's victory, SIUE earned a bid to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championships. SIUE will learn who its next opponent will be Monday in a 3 p.m. announcement made live online at NCAA.com.
"I couldn't be any more proud honestly," said SIUE Head Coach
Derek Burton. "We knew going in to the day that it was going to be extremely challenging. Tech is a fantastic team, talented players and great coaches. To play on their field and get the shutout to win a the trophy, you really can't ask for anything more from a group of athletes."
SIUE improved to 8-5-4 with its fourth straight victory and third straight shutout. Tennessee Tech ended its season 8-5-5 with its first loss of the season against an OVC opponent.
The Cougars and the Golden Eagles were tied 0-0 at halftime. SIUE has now scored in the second half for five consecutive goal after Tournament Most Valuable Player
Sidney Christopher scored the game-winning goal at 54:47.
The winner came on a free kick pass from
Taylor Dolt. Christopher redirected the ball past TTU goalkeeper Maggie Conrad.
"On the goal there had been an injury stoppage and the players just talked about it amongst themselves to have an idea," said Burton. "They just made a play based on what was in front of them on the restart. The definition of teamwork, no coaching involved."
Taylor Spiller earned the win in goal for the Cougars, her third straight and seventh of the season.
SIUE, which outshot Tennessee Tech 11-10, is now 5-0-1 in OVC Championship matches all-time.
SIUE will now make its fifth NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament appearance. The Cougars have previously made appearances in the first rouns at Notre Dame, Indiana, (2016 and 2021), Lexington, Kentucky, (2014) and Cary, North Carolina (2020).
2022 OVC All-Tournament Team
Sam Blazek, Lindenwood
Jacqueline Baetz, Lindenwood
Anna Lohrer, Morehead State
Avery Redmon, Morehead State
Chloe Smith, Tennessee Tech
Bailey Taylor, Tennessee Tech
Macy Carter, Tennessee Tech
Taylor Spiller, SIUE
Sarah Magnoni, SIUE
Mary Wessel, SIUE
Sidney Christopher, SIUE (MVP)
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