Hilltoppers fall in overtime to Central Oklahoma, 2-1

Kristen Gascoyne

AUSTIN, Texas - Central Oklahoma's Carmen Davis took a loose ball in the box and scored the game-winner with 15 seconds left in the first overtime to give the Bronchos a 2-1 victory over St. Edward's in the second round of the 2007 NCAA Women's soccer Midwest Regional Sunday afternoon at the St. Edward's University Soccer Field.

Davis was in the right place at the right time, when Hilltoppers goalkeeper Troi Jorgensen bobbled a cross sent into the box and Davis was there for an easy tap in to win the game.

"We were really calm at halftime," Davis said.  "Our coach told us to relax and keep working.  He also said to go out and play with a lot of intensity."

St. Edward's (17-4) got on the board first in the 28th minute when sophomore Claire Cella sent a flip throw-in towards the box.  Freshman Emily Arnold got a head on the ball to keep it alive in the box.  Abbott was there to rip a shot from 10 yards out to beat the Broncho goalkeeper.

Central Oklahoma (19-4-1) fought back in the second half, putting the pressure on the Hilltoppers.  In the 70th minute, Lacy Cooley scored her fifth goal of the season off of a header from 10 yards out.  Ashton Morris received an assist on the play.

"This was a great game and St. Edward's has a great team," Broncho head coach Mike Cook said.  "I am proud of the effort that we had today.  We kept our composure and kept working hard."

St. Edward's outshot Central Oklahoma, 12-10, but the Bronchos had seven of their shots on goal, while the Hilltoppers placed three on goal.

"We thought the pace of the game was what we expected," St. Edward's head coach Nick Cowell said. "It was a pretty even contest.  We controlled the first half and they controlled the second.  We will miss our four seniors as they had an excellent career.  We will also have a great foundation to build upon coming back next season."

The Hilltoppers end the season with a 17-4 overall record, advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the second-straight season and finishing as Co-Heartland Conference Champions.