Hiltenbrand sends in a free kick to defeat Longwood

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (September 2, 2011) – With the game tied, 1-1, in double overtime, senior Jessica Hiltenbrand (Bartlett, Tenn.) sent in a free kick from 30 yards out that found the back of the net with 1:20 showing on the clock to lift ETSU over Longwood, 2-1, on Friday inside Summers-Taylor Stadium.                                 

“We’re absolutely thrilled with today’s performance,” said head coach Adam Sayers. “Every single player that took part in the game was fantastic from start to finish. We were not happy settling for a tie, and wanted to push for the win all the way through. We had a very well executed free kick at the end that gave us the win and we’re very happy.”

As a foul was called on Longwood, the Lady Bucs grouped amongst a crowd of defenders inside the box in hope of sending in the game-winner. Hiltenbrand sent in a ball that bent around towards the far post and harmlessly fell inside the six-yard box before bouncing past Longwood’s Kyra Bryan and settling into the net.

“After the referee called the foul I looked straight up to [Petersen],” said Hiltenbrand. “She looked at me and said “Jess, just keep it on frame,” and that’s what I did. We kept fighting through the entire game and I couldn’t be more proud of my team.”

In a game that played seemingly even throughout, the Lady Bucs were able to outshoot Longwood, 15-13, with each team making five saves. ETSU was led defensively by Caitlin Gaughan (Indianapolis, Ind.) who racked up four saves, giving up just the one goal, and earning her second consecutive win. 

ETSU (2-2-0) started the game to a torrid pace, nearly scoring just 28 seconds in when senior Genna Petersen (Loveland, Ohio) had a Longwood defender one-on-one, but her shot would skid wide of the right post. Not long after, freshman Jenna Caudle (Middletown, Md.) would continue her terrific start to her collegiate career. Taking her defender up the left sideline Caudle made a move to get free and, with nobody in front of her, took an angled shot from the far left side that hit off of Bryon’s leg and deflected in to put the Lady Bucs up in just the third minute. The goal was Caudle’s third through just four games.

“Scoring early helped to put us in great position,” said Sayers. “Something we focused on in recent weeks was how positively we start games, because the first couple games we came out a little flat and it took us a while to a foothold. We started strong today and that set us up for a good performance.”

The Lady Bucs would need the early goal, as Longwood (1-2-2) would respond with a goal of its own. 15 minutes after ETSU took the lead, The Lancers’ Lindsay Ottavio took a ball deep into the corner and quickly sent in a low cross that Nikki Glisson one-timed through to equalize the game.

ETSU and Longwood took a tie score into the locker rooms with ETSU holding a, 7-5, advantage in shots.

Having only taken one corner through the first half, Longwood put together six corner attempts in a 14 minute span through second period. The Lancers’ first corner came 10 minutes in, as the attempt was followed by a shot that Gaughan saved over the bar. The following attempt Gaughan again knocked away and the Lancers’ third chance was quickly squashed as a foul was called after the corner was sent in. Gaughan faced the same situation 10 minutes later, but did not allow a ball to get by her for the remainder of the match.

Lucy Goffe (Birmingham, England) and Jasmin Dutton (Kimmel Bay, North Wales) each put a shot on goal in the second half, but neither chance went past Bryon and the two teams headed for overtime.

In the second overtime, freshman Emilee Engelhaupt (Charlotte, N.C.) tried to put the game away for ETSU, but Bryon was there for the save to extend the match until Hiltenbrand ended it with 1:20 to go.

The ETSU women’s soccer team continues its home stand on Sunday, September 4, when they face Alabama A&M at 1 p.m.

The ETSU athletic department encourages fans to come out to the next ETSU home game and participate in the Wendy’s Win promotion. With today’s win, fans in attendance received a coupon for free food at Wendy’s, and the same will happen for every ETSU home win.

For more information on ETSU women's soccer, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's soccer links. Also, fans can view the women's soccer Facebook page at ETSU Buccaneer Women's Soccer.