HUNTINGTON, WV – The start of the
Travis Sobers era needed extra time on Thursday night, but the Wright State women's soccer team opened the season in victorious fashion, defeating Marshall 2-1 on
Olga Massombo penalty kick in the 103rd minute of action.
The win gives the Raiders a win in their season opener for the second time in the last three seasons, and gives Sobers his first victory as the head coach after taking over the reigns of the program this summer.
Knotted at 1-1 late in regulation, Wright State had two chances in the closing seconds of the second half, first when
Brittney Petrosky's shot missed wide right of the cage with just over 30 seconds remaining before
Destiny Johnson's shot attempt was saved in the final moments to send the game to extra time.
In the first overtime, the Raiders tallied the lone shot but forced a majority of the pressure over the 10-minute period, carrying that into the second extra period. After a save from Wright State keeper
Jessika Seward two minutes into the second overtime, the Raiders quickly went on the counter attack. Johnson beat her defender deep in the Marshall end and was taken down in the box to set up Massombo's penalty kick winner 2:35 into the second overtime.
Wright State got on the board early, as Johnson found the back of the net off a Massombo pass in the 24th minute to give the Raiders the advantage. The visitors kept the lead through the intermission, only to see Marshall turn up its intensity in the second half and tie the game in the 76th minute with a goal from Tesia Schray off a corner kick that ultimately sent the match to extra time.
The Raiders outshot Marshall 17-14, holding a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal, with Johnson leading the way with a game-high five shots, three of which were on frame. Petrosky recorded four shots and
Lauren Borchert tallied three shots of her own, all on frame, while Massombo had two shots on the way to her goal and assist. Seward finished with seven saves between the pipes on the opposite end.
Wright State returns to the pitch next Thursday night, as the Raiders will play host to Bellarmine with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff from Alumni Field.
