BATON ROUGE — The LSU soccer team (4-0) got another golden goal from Artie Brown Wednesday night to defeat Stephen F. Austin (1-2-0), 2-1, in double overtime. The goal came with 6:22 left in the second over time as Brown slipped one by the Ladyjack goalkeeper Natascia Michalezki.
“Stephen F. Austin played an awesome game. I think they were the better team tonight, but the heart of our players came out in the second half and we played much better,” said LSU co-head coach Danielle Fotopoulos. “Winning in over time just shows the character of our team.”
Christie Mestayer scored the first goal of the game for Stephen F. Austin in the 17th minute on free kick from 30 yards out. The Ladyjacks kept the Tigers scoreless for most of the game led by outstanding play by their goalie Michalezki who had 10 saves.
“Stephen F. Austin’s goalie played an awesome game and she kept them in it,” said Fotopoulos “She kept us having to continue to fight, and like I said they were a great team.”
The Tigers got the equalizing goal in the 84th minute from senior forward Artie Brown who had been on fire so far in the season for LSU. Sophomore Stacy Bishop was credited with the assist on the goal. It was Brown’s second two goal game of the season, and with her 31st and 32nd goals of her career Brown is only 4 goals back of the all-time record holder Jackie Cooper who has 36.
LSU out shot the Ladyjacks 18 to 10 in a very physical game that saw 29 fouls and three yellow cards. Tiger goalkeeper Robyn DesOrmeaux had three saves in the game for LSU.
“If the rest of the season goes like this its not going to be good for us,” said Fotopoulos. “We need to come out stronger. The thing that I am proud of is that they fought through and won in both of these situations. I am really proud of how our team stuck in their and shower their Tiger pride.”
The Tigers will go on the road to Ohio State this weekend to compete in the Buckeye Classic taking on Ohio State Friday night at 7:30 EST and Dayton Sunday at 11:30 a.m at Jessie Owens Memorial Stadium.
LSU (4-0) def. Stephen F. Austin (1-2), 2-1 (2 OT)
SFA 1 0 0 0 – 1
LSU 0 1 0 1 – 2
Scoring: LSU, Brown (5) 83:12 (assist Bishop), Brown (6) 103:37 (unassisted). Stephen F. Autsin , Mestayer (1) 16:28 (unassisted).
Yellow Cards: LSU, Suzanne Drake (1) 1:59, Artie Brown (1) 72:47. Stephen F. Austin, Kendra Cannon (1) 54:48.
Attendance: 380