MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Trailing 2-0 approaching halftime, the West Alabama women's soccer team received a spark when they needed it the most. Brodie Clark buried a goal just over a minute before halftime and out of the break, the Tigers netted two more to claim the 3-2 win over Auburn Montgomery in Gulf South Conference play on Friday.
Joining Clark on the scoresheet was Aileen Charles and then Selis Demirci's eventual game-winning goal in the 80th minute.
Auburn Montgomery (2-8, 2-5 GSC) looked to be in good shape as they scored the first two goals of the game in the 18th and 29th minute.
Right after the Warhawks jumped ahead by two, Paige Laidler took a shot on goal that was turned away. After Laidler had another shot land on target in the 40th minute, Clark was able to get the Tigers on the board with a shot out high right to cut the lead in half in the 44th minute.
UWA (7-4, 6-2 GSC) picked up an early save by Maria Mon a couple of minutes into the second half and then nearly had the equalizer in the 48th minute on a shot by Emily Djagbare that was saved. The Tigers continued the pressure with a couple of shots blocked, before another was saved in the 67th minute on a shot by Mikayla Anderson.
Approaching the 70th minute, the Tigers were able to turn the pressure into a corner kick. Charles cashed in the attempt scoring from the low right part of the box to tie the game at two in the 69th minute. Djagbare added the assist off the corner.
After just missing on a few more chances, UWA went ahead for good in the 80th minute. Off of a throw in, Demirci broke free and let a shot go from the high left that found the net for the 3-2 lead. Dana Cruz added the assist.
AUM only generated one more chance in the closing minutes on a shot that went wide left in the 85th minute to secure the 3-2 win for UWA.
AUM held the 13-11 edge in shots, while UWA placed eight on goal to six for the Warhawks. UWA held a 5-1 advantage on corner kicks and there were 13 combined fouls, eight whistled on the Tigers.
Laidler led the way with three shots (two on goal) and O'Grady added two shots (both on goal). Eight different players picked up a shot for the Tigers. Mon recorded the goal in net picking up four saves.
Mayson Jaindl and Millian Mollison led the way for the Warhawks with four shots apiece. Karla Gaytan and Rebecca Jamieson each played a half in net for AUM. Gaytan allowed one goal and added two saves in the first half, while Jamieson allowed two goals and made three saves to take the loss in the second half.
UWA picked up their third straight win and tallied their first true road victory of the season.
The Tigers jump up to a tie for second in the conference standings with Mississippi College with both teams at 18 points. UWA will travel to face Montevallo on Sunday with game time set for 1 p.m. Montevallo tied Alabama Huntsville on Friday and are right behind the Tigers with 16 points.
