Adam Kelly | Echo
A game-winning golden goal was a fitting end for senior forward Molly Drooger on Senior Night. The women's soccer team pulled out a 3-2 victory in overtime against Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars (MVNU) last Saturday as Drooger fired her final goal on Taylor turf. It was one to remember.
"The win gives us confidence, especially to beat a team that has done really well in our conference. It just reminds us that we can play with anyone," Drooger said.
The Trojans took the lead early in the game but fought to hold off MVNU, who never let up. Taylor won the battle of shots with 14 compared to MVNU's nine. They also tallied six shots on goal compared to five shots by the Cougars.
Senior defender Christi Dithrich powered a shot off a free kick from 35 yards out in the 20th minute. Megan Griffith scored for the Cougars in the 37th minute, but a goal from freshman Shelbi Lowe came less than two minutes later off an assist from junior midfielder Amanda Roden. The Trojans held on to a 2-1 advantage at the half.
A goalless 40 minutes began the second half until Casey Apple of Mount Vernon scored in the 85th minute to force overtime.
With 53 seconds left in the first overtime period, junior Amanda Roden found Drooger in front of the net for a sliding shot, fittingly capping Drooger's final home game at Taylor with a golden goal winner.
"The energy in the girls was evident this weekend. We all really wanted to win, and I think that showed," Drooger said.
As the No. 7 seed (last in a three-way tie for fifth place), the Trojans face an uphill battle in the upcoming Crossroads League Tournament. They look to take on No. 2 Grace College, who lost only one game in Crossroads League play this season. Taylor fell to Grace 4-1 when they faced off on Sept. 24. Since October, the Lancers have been 4-1-1. Their loss and tie both resulted from double overtime matches.
The Trojans will kick off their Crossroads League Tournament run at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, as they head to Winona Lake, Ind., for the tournament opener.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
