Sherman, Texas - The Centenary women's soccer team edged the Austin College 'Roos 2-1 in overtime on Friday evening in a critical Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference contest at the Dr. Jack R. Pierce Memorial Soccer Complex.
Senior MF/D Gabby McDonald (Pasadena, Texas) scored both goals in the match for the Ladies, including the game winner just over five minutes into the overtime period to give the Ladies (4-9-2, 2-2-2 SCAC) the road victory. Austin College fell to 1-12-1 overall and 0-5-1 in conference play. Centenary stayed alive for a berth in next weekend's SCAC Tournament and can secure a spot with a win over the University of Dallas Crusaders on Sunday in its regular-season finale.
The Ladies were back in action for the first time in 12 days after recording a 2-1 home win over the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs on Oct. 17 on their annual Senior Day at Mayo Field. Centenary improved to 3-5-1 on the road this season and played its fifth overtime/double OT match of the season as the Maroon and White are 2-1-2 in those contests. Centenary is now fifth in the conference standings and has won two in a row.
McDonald scored her second and third goals of the season and now has nine in her career and is the team leader in both goals (3) and points (7) this season. She put the Ladies ahead with an early goal as she received a pass from junior MF Celeste Muniz (Denton, Texas) and found the net from 10 yards out for a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. McDonald is the first Centenary player to score two goals in a game since her former teammate and All-American Migui Boldrin did so on the same field versus the 'Roos back on Oct. 27, 2019.
Centenary held the 1-0 lead until Sydney Padget scored at the 59:21 mark of the second half with the assist credited to Sarah Carmichael. The match remained 1-1 for the remaining 30 minutes of the half and the first five minutes of OT until McDonald gave the Ladies the win with her golden goal off an assist from sophomore F Daisy Acosta (Deer Park, Texas).
Senior GK Avery Sanderson (McKinney, Texas) played the entire match and made two saves. Austin College's Meredith Harris suffered the loss as she went the distance and allowed both goals and made 10 saves. Centenary's aggressive offense took 23 shots, a season high, on the night to just seven for the 'Roos. McDonald took five, junior F Sydney Bascomb (Mesquite, Texas) took seven with four on goal, and junior F Avery Gilbert (League City, Texas) had four with two on target.
Centenary will face Dallas (8-5-1, 3-2-1 SCAC) in its regular-season finale on Sunday at Noon as the teams battle for entry into the postseason. The Crusaders are set to host the tournament on Nov. 5 and 7 in Irving, Texas. Live stats and video are available for Sunday's match at the links below:
Live Stats: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/wsoc/2021-22/boxscores/20211031_115m.xml
Live Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUyU5FLLKns
See the Ladies' complete schedule here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/wsoc/2021-22/schedule
Admission is FREE to all Centenary home athletic contests but be advised of current COVID-19 protocols for fans. Updated COVID-19 information is now available via www.GoCentenary.com.
Live stats and live video stream are available for all Centenary home contests.
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