Sophomore defender Keyara Zuniga scored the game-winning goal in the 108th minute of the second overtime period as the Eastern New Mexico women’s soccer team came away with a 1-0 win at UT-Permian Basin Sunday afternoon.
With just over two minutes remaining in the match, the Falcons were called for a foul at the top of the box, setting up a free kick by senior midfielder Bailey Bosley. With the free kick, Bosley’s pass bounced off the shoulder of sophomore mid Victoria Nunez. Zuniga tracked down the loose ball near the far post and knocked in the game-winner for her second goal of the season.
In the opening half of the match, Eastern’s offense was assertive, outshooting the Falcons 12-0 and putting six of those shots on-goal, two of which coming off the leg of Bosley.
The Falcons played better defense against the Greyhounds in the second half, limiting Eastern to just six shots, two of which on-goal. However, the Hounds defense was even stronger, limiting UTPB to just two shots, only one of which was put on-goal.
In the first overtime period, both teams were limited to just one shot, neither of which we’re on-goal, forcing a second overtime.
The Falcons had the first opportunity to win the match in the second OT, but Lauren Marenco’s shot in the 102nd minute was saved by freshman goalkeeper Taylor Jackson.
The Hounds had a pair of chances within less than a minute. At the 104:48 mark, sophomore midfielder Victoria Nunez had a shot on goal that was saved and 44 seconds later, Bosley had a shot on-goal that was stopped as well.
In picking up the victory, it was the first win in Odessa that the Hounds had since Sept. 9, 2007 as Eastern picked up a 2-1 win that day at UTPB.
Overall, Eastern outshot UTPB 22-4, including an 11-2 difference in shots on-goal. Bosley led the offensive attack for the Greyhounds, taking seven shots in the match and placing four on-goal and was credited with an assist. Nunez also picked up an assist, her first of the season, and took three shots in the match, placing two on-goal.
Defensively, Jackson pitched her third shutout of the season, making two saves in the match.
Eastern will be back home for a pair of matches during their homecoming week as the Hounds will first face No. 15 West Texas A&M on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at Greyhound Stadium.
