Kayla Delgado’s team-leading sixth goal of the season just 1:18 into the second overtime period lifted SIUE women’s soccer to a 2-1 win over Eastern Washington in the first game of the Doublewood Inn Classic.
Kayla Delgado / Photo by SIUE Sports Information
The win extended SIUE’s undefeted streak to seven games. The Cougars improved to 6-1-1 with the victory and will next take on Colorado State Sunday morning.
“We did really well to establish early on what we wanted to do,” SIUE Head Coach Derek Burtons said. “We controlled the game for the most part.”
Delgado netted the game-winner from the top of the box, with an assist from Sarah Doggendorf.
“It was a good heads up play from Sarah, and a quality finish by Kayla,” Burton said.
Katie Cashman got the Eagles on the board in the 34th minute, chipping a shot over SIUE goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley.
“The goal came against the run of play,” Burton said. “They caught us. (Cashman) made a really nice play and got it over Jen.”
Tory Pitts collected the equalizer in the 70th minute for SIUE. The forward struck for her first goal as a Cougar with a shot over Eagles’ goalkeeper Nathalie Schwery into the right corner. Chelsea Smith assisted for the Cougars.
“Tory has really been doing well,” Burton said. “She’s understanding what we want, and gaining confidence.”
Pitts finished with a game-high four shots, including a pair of goal. Delgado finished with three. She also put two on frame.
SIUE outshot EWU 12-7, including 11-5 in regulation. Schwery made four saves for Eastern Washington. Pelley made three for SIUE.
Game time Sunday morning is 11 a.m. Burton admitted that facing first-year program Colorado State provides its own challenge.
“They’re a little bit of an unknown,” Burton said. “They will adjust to their opponent so they’re not doing the same thing every game. I know their head coach (Bill Hempen) and he is one of the best coaches there is.”
