Box Score

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State soccer team lived to see another day on Wednesday evening as the No. 4 Bobcats picked up the 2-1 victory over No. 5 Troy in an overtime thriller at the Sun Belt Conference Championships. This was the first Sun Belt Conference Tournament victory in Texas State history and it happened to come against the team that the Bobcats picked up their first regular season Sun Belt victory against earlier this season.

With the victory, Texas State improves to 8-8-2 while the Trojans end their season with an overall record of 8-10-1.

The first half of action was fairly balanced on both sides of the ball. Each squad had scoring opportunities, but the opposing defense denied any notches being added to the scoreboard. The Bobcats and the Trojans ended the half with nine shots a piece while Texas State earned three corner kicks to Troy's one.

Bobcat senior Gabbi Cottee got the intensity rolling in the second half, scoring the first goal of the contest with a header into the back of the mesh in the 64^th minute. Cottee's goal was assisted by freshman Maddie Nichols.

Troy answered back, however, in the 81^st minute with a shot by Jasmine Fahrnbauer that was floated over the top of Bobcat goalkeeper Natalie Gardini's head, tying the game at one a piece. Fahrnbauer's goal was her first goal of the season.

The defenses stepped in during the final nine minutes, not allowing a goal from either bench. Troy ended the second half with more shots (10-8) than the Bobcats, but Texas State recorded six corners compared to zero by the Trojans.

Texas State then took control in the overtime, never really giving Troy the opportunity to attack. After a pair of corner kicks and two shots by the Bobcats, Nichols delivered in the 94^th minute, giving Texas State the edge over the Trojans. Nichols' goal came after a corner kick by Tori Hale.

Gardini earned the win for Texas State after picking up eight saves in the contest. Lynsey Curry led the Bobcats with six shots as Necee Jennings collected a game-high eight shots for the Trojans.

The Bobcats now advance on to Friday's match against No. 1 Western Kentucky. The Lady Toppers picked up the 2-1 victory over UALR after notching a pair of goals in the second half. Kick-off at the Bobcat Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m. The winner will then face-off against the winner of the South Alabama vs. Arkansas State on Sunday in the championship game at 1 p.m.