By: Kyle Keck | Sports Writer
The Taylor women's soccer team endured another double-overtime match, resulting in a game-winning penalty kick against Goshen at Turner Stadium Saturday.
The first half of play was dominated by Taylor's seven shots on goal. With Taylor controlling the possession for the majority of the game, Goshen was limited to just one shot on goal during the half.
Although Taylor's offense took charge, they were unable to generate a goal early in the game. The scoreboard was 0-0 at halftime with Goshen breathing a sigh of relief.The second half mirrored the scoreless first. Taylor added 13 shots to its total, while Goshen failed to fire a single shot in the 45-minute frame.
"Our team did a good job possessing, but we just weren't getting good scoring opportunities," senior Courtney Selle said. "Goshen's line up was very defensive and they often had 10 players behind the ball."
Goshen's defensive lineup, yet again, maintained a scoreless game. Despite Taylor's five shots to Goshen's one, it was clear that the stalemate would need to be settled in extra time.With only 10 minutes given to find a goal, Taylor kicked it into high gear. Less than a minute into the second overtime, Taylor was awarded a penalty kick. Junior Shelbi Lowe attempted the score, but Goshen's keeper Natalie Thorne blocked her shot.
As time wound down, Selle made her way into the box and was tripped from behind. Selle set up for Taylor's second penalty kick with just over one minute left to play. Selle squeezed the ball past the Goshen keeper into the left side of the net for her first career goal as a Trojan, giving Taylor the 1-0 win. The goal gave Selle a moment to celebrate.
"It felt so good," Selle said. "My whole family was there and it was a great moment to have them celebrate with me. I've played defensive positions most of my career, but this year I've gotten into the attack more and I've been looking forward to scoring for a while."
Because Selle has played defense for most of her time as a Trojan, the goal came as a surprise to head coach Scott Stan. Although the goal came off an unexpected foot, Stan was thrilled Selle could enjoy a victory like this."I was overjoyed that Courtney made her first collegiate goal and that it was a game winner," Stan said. "I did not feel it coming, but when she picked up the ball to place it on the PK spot, I also had no fear of her missing the shot. She wanted it; she took it; she scored!"
Taylor continues its season when they travel to Fort Wayne to take on the University of Saint Francis at 7 p.m.
Photograph by Shannon Smagala
