![Zaino's Game Winner Lifts TU Over Indiana Tech](/images/2015-16/WomenSoccer/150911_vsIndianaTech.jpg)
Zaino's Game Winner Lifts TU Over Indiana Tech
UPLAND, Ind. - The Taylor women's soccer team found themselves in a double-overtime game for the second time in three days on Friday, this time coming away with a 2-1 victory after sophomore Nikki Zaino's game-winning goal against Indiana Tech.
"Thinking about going into another overtime game was pretty scary," stated head coach Scott Stan after the win. "The excitement and energy to feel what it's like to work hard and win is exciting. They get a couple days off now to recover, but tonight was purely effort."
Both teams appeared evenly matched in the early stages of the game. The Trojans were limited to only two shot attempts in the opening 45 minutes, but held Indiana Tech in check, limiting the Knights to four shot attempts in the first half. Neither team could capitalize on their opportunities and headed into halftime tied 0-0.
Only three minutes into the second half, things picked up. On an Indiana Tech offensive attack, a Knight forward crossed the ball four feet in front of the net. The ball deflected off a TU defender into the net for an own goal, giving Indiana Tech a 1-0 lead.
Eight minutes after the own goal, the Trojans would even things back up. After scoring the equalizer in the 1-1 tie against Aquinas on Wednesday, junior Shelbi Lowe again scored the tying goal, this time off an assist from Zaino in the 56th-minute.
In the final 36-minutes of regulation, TU gave themselves opportunities to score, but failed to score a game-winner, resulting in its second overtime game in three days.
After the first overtime period featured just two shots, both by the Trojans, the second overtime period took very little time. Sophomore Megan Kammer sent a long pass ahead to Zaino, who dribbled into the box and scored her third goal in the last four games less than two-minutes into the second overtime period.
"This year Nikki (Zaino) has really focused on one moment at a time," said Stan. "Now that she's confident, she's exactly who we thought we recruited, maybe even a little better. We love how she's playing."
The Trojans dominated the offensive side of the field, out-shooting Indiana Tech 17-6 in the game. TU was also awarded five corner kicks in the game compared to the Knights' two. Kammer and Lowe each finished with six shots on the night, while Zaino's goal was her only shot attempt of the night.
Anna Miller picked up her third win in net for the Trojans, finishing the night with four saves, three of which came in the first half.
Taylor will have a week off before playing their next game. The Trojans will travel to Ft. Wayne next Friday, September 18 to take on IPFW. TU's next home game will be on Wednesday, September 23 against Madonna at 4:00 p.m.