CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The women's soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in overtime against Middle Tennessee Wednesday night in C-USA Championships.

The Blue Raiders knocked in the game winning goal in the 100th minute, at 99:14, when Grace Summers used a deflection off teammate Tori Hawkins' shot to corral the rebound and beat goalkeeper Annika McHenry from 15 yards out to get seal the victory ending the Niners season. Hawkins' first attempt ricocheted off the crossbar, setting up a close-range score.

"It was a fantastic college soccer game," said head coach John Cullen. "Both teams put their heart and soul into the game. We both had periods of the game when we were dominate. In the second half, I felt that we were getting the better of the play. Amanda Jones scored a great goal off a Martha Thomas assist. Proud of the season and the girls.”

 

Finding themselves down a goal at the halftime break, the 49ers came out in the second half with offensive firepower firing three shots up in the first nine minutes as senior All-Conference USA Second Team choice Amanda Jones was able to find the equalizer in the 54th minute from Conference USA Freshman of the Year Martha Thomas, who picked up the assist at 53:51. 

Thomas took a breakaway down the right side of the field, finding a streaking Jones who put a nice strike on the ball and placed it into the back left corner. The goal was Jones' fourth of the season and 24th of her career as she ends her Niners career ninth all-time in goals. Jones also had 14 career assists giving her 62 points, 10th all-time in program history.

Charlotte (8-8-2) continued to keep the pressure on the Blue Raiders throughout the second half only allowing four shots after intermission and had a late offensive surge in the final seven minutes of regulation, looking to get the game-winning goal. Charlotte was able to get five shots off in the final seven minutes of regulation as Jessica Ryan's attempt in the 88th minute nearly went by Middle Tennessee (9-8-2) goalkeeper Kelsey Brouwer.

With the score notted at one at the end of regulation, the Niners had the first scoring opportunity in the extra session, but a Ryan shot was blocked. 

The Niners outshot Middle Tennessee, 18-13, including 12-4 in the second half, as Thomas and Ryan led the team with four shots each. MT was led by Angie Lai with four attempts.

McHenry made three saves in playing the full 99:14, while the Blue Raiders' Brouwer tallied eight stops.

Charlotte ends the 2014 campaign with Cullen becominge the all-time winningest coach in program history. Tonight's loss ends the career of Jones, Ryan, Sara Trexler, Jennifer Lee, Taylor Dulaney.