Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – SIUE women's soccer is preparing for its first-ever Ohio Valley Conference tournament appearance after falling 2-1 in overtime at Belmont in the regular season finale Sunday.
"We are disappointed with the result today but we'll turn our attention to preparing for the program's first OVC tournament," SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said. "By the time we reach the field on Thursday, we'll be refocused and ready to play and give it everything we have, for each other."
The Cougars, who finished with 7-7-3 overall and 4-4-2 in the OVC, earned the sixth seed and will face the No. 3 seed Eastern Kentucky Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Martin, Tenn. UT Martin hosts the tournament by virtue of finishing with the No. 1 seed. The Skyhawks, along with No. 2 seed Austin Peay both have a first-round bye.
Lauren Paynter netted the game-winner Sunday 3:08 into the first overtime period to give Belmont (8-8-2, 4-4-2) the win and the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Belmont will face No. 4 seed Southeast Missouri at 4 p.m. Friday.
Following a scoreless first half, Meagan Iffrig put the Cougars on top with her second goal of the year 60th minute. The Cougars won a loose ball in the midfield and Hope Jones came away with it. Jones earned the assist after getting a pass away to Iffrig.
"Meagan's goal was struck pure," Burton said. "(Hope) did well to find Meagan checking back. Meagan then turned her defender and struck a great ball."
Laura Harris tied the game 1-1 with a goal in the 81st minute.
"We started really strong out of the gates and dictated the game in the first half," Burton added. "They (Belmont) were fighting for their life and we flattened out a bit and it gave them confidence.
"The overtime goal was an example of that," Burton continued. "They reacted first to a bouncing ball and scored a remarkable goal. We never bounced back from giving up the equalizer."
SIUE finished without a win on the road during the regular season (0-5-2), but Burton said he isn't worried about his team.
"We've played well enough to win in quite a few; we just haven't delivered a finished product," he said. "I certainly have confidence in what we have in our team and I know we can get it done, home or away."
