Huston-Tillotson stuns Texas Southern 3-2 in overtime

HOUSTON – The Lady Rams of Huston-Tillotson netted a golden goal two minutes into the first overtime Monday to stun Texas Southern by a score of 3-2.
 
At TSU's Alexander Durley Stadium, HT's Laura Munoz claimed the win for the Rams when she deposited a free kick from 36 yards out into the top right corner of TSU net, just out of the reach of goalkeeper Alexis Robles.
 
The sudden end to the match proved anti-climatic for the home side, as the Lady Tigers (2-4) scored two goals during the final seven minutes of regulation to force the overtime period. TSU's Paige Hayward and Kayla Smith both found the net in the waning minutes to send the match to an extra session.
 
Kimberlin Palacios scored the first two goals for the visiting Rams (2-2), who improved to 2-0 against scholarship-level competition. Her first goal came when she was in the right place in the goal box when a free kick teammate Morgan Seeliger bounced straight down off the TSU crossbar and right onto Palacios' foot in the 16th minute.
 
Two minutes after halftime, Palacios stretched the visitors' advantage to two goals when she picked up a free ball in the TSU penalty area before breaking free from two defenders before sending a strike into the lower-right corner.
 
With the lead, HT seemed content to protect its lead and adopt a defensive strategy. The ploy limited the home side's chances while conserving the energy of the Rams' smaller roster.
 
After finding few chances to score during the opening period, the Lady Tigers started to test HT goalkeeper Evelyn Martinez in the second half. TSU recorded 12 of its 16 shots, and four of its five corner kicks, after halftime.
 
With time winding down, Hayward's efforts were finally rewarded in the 84th minute when she received a crossing pass in the goal box from Madison Phillips, striking home TSU's first goal from less than two yards out.
 
In the 87th minute, Smith completed TSU's thrilling comeback with an improbable 20-yard strike from a very narrow angle near the HT endline. Maya Turner was credited with the assist on Smith's goal.
 
The Lady Tigers return to action Sunday when they visit Tulsa, Okla., for a match at Oral Roberts. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.