Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Making just one of many highlight-reel worthy stops on the night,
Morgan Crescent saved her best for last.
The sophomore goalkeeper went airborne with two seconds on the clock for her final acrobatic move and the Eckerd College women's soccer program frustrated 17th-ranked Florida Tech to a heart-pounding double-overtime scoreless draw on Tuesday night.
Crescent deflected Kelly Whittaker's last-second attempt off the post and the Tritons (2-2-1, 0-1-1 SSC) had plenty of reason to celebrate after earning the program's first Sunshine State Conference tie since 2007.
The Tritons tied a league opponent for the first time since EC knotted Nova Southeastern University, 1-1, on Oct. 16, 2007. It has been a little while longer since Eckerd has reveled in a conference win.
Crescent had a season-high 13 saves on the evening. Among her most memorable denials was off the feet of Whittaker and Carly Hunt, who fired off 12 shots each, respectively.
“I was honestly, so pumped up that our team was still in it, and there was no way I was going to let them down,” she said about the final play of the match. “I think it gives us a lot of confidence moving forward and all the pieces are starting to fall into place.”
She frustrated Florida Tech's offense with eight saves in the opening period and recorded four more until the end of regulation.
The Panthers (4-2-1, 0-1-1 SSC) held a lopsided 37-2 advantage in shots, but EC made its first attempt count in the 82nd minute after sophomore
Arie Anahory nearly curled in a corner kick as a cluster formed in front of Panthers' goalie Emma Ahlstrand.
Both teams were battling the elements in the 110-minute affair as the Tritons' defense once again held their ground facing a relentless offensive Florida Tech attack.
The Panthers had 17 shots in the first half alone and just like a progressive rain that began to fall around halftime, Florida Tech poured on 15 more in the second half. In the overtime periods, the Panthers held a combined 5-1 advantage in shot attempts.
But EC kept making defensive stands and was aggressive on the ball to help force Florida Tech out of sync at opportune times.
Sophomore defender
Sarah Trumbull recorded the other Triton shot on the evening in the first overtime session.
The Tritons will look to continue their strong play by hosting Nova Southeastern on Saturday at the Turley Athletic Complex for a non-conference matchup beginning at 5 p.m. The contest falls under the SSC's “Plus-4” rule in scheduling.
Live stats with video/audio on EckerdTritons.com will be available.
