EDINBURG, Texas — The Chicago State women's soccer team (2-14-1, 2-8 WAC) closed out its fall 2021 season with a dramatic 2-1 overtime win over UTRGV Saturday evening.
"What a beautiful moment," head coach Cristiano Costa said. "I am very proud of this group. They followed the gameplan from the get-go. Another big win for this program and what a great way to finish our soccer season, especially for the senior class."
Jayla Gage struck in a 97th minute goal in overtime on an assist from Julia Oliveira to seal the victory. The goal was Gage's team-high fifth of the season and sealed the Cougars' second conference win of the season — and second WAC victory since the program's inception in 2014.
The teams entered overtime after a 1-1 tie through the first 90, with both goalkeepers staying mostly firm.
Freshman goalkeeper Alexa Seiler recorded four saves win the first half, as the two sides played to a stalemate. Fellow freshman Jayla Gage, meanwhile, kept the Cougars on the attack, notching two shots but failing to eke past UTRGV goalkeeper Malie Lunardi. The score at halftime remained at 0-0.
In the second half, after nearly 40 scoreless minutes, Gage broke the tie with an 84th minute score to pull CSU ahead, 1-0.
However, just 1:57 later, UTRGV's Cami Dade answered, scoring a goal on a feed from Shentatious Knox.
The two teams then entered overtime, where Gage's score finished the night — and season — with a bang.
The Cougars close the fall 2021 campaign with a 2-14-1 record, featuring two WAC wins over Texas foes UTRGV and Abilene Christian. Freshman Jayla Gage, with five, and senior Sara Quevedo (four) finished as the Cougars' leading scorers.
About Chicago State
Chicago State University Athletics is comprised of 15 intercollegiate teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. Melvin Bland was the first CSU student-athlete to gain NAIA All-American status in 1974 as a wrestler. Fred Evans became the first black swimmer ever to win a national championship in 1975. CSU's women's basketball team earned a spot in the 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational and CSU's men's basketball team won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament title and made an appearance in the CollegeInside.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Men's Outdoor Track & Field 4x100-Meter Relay team were 2019 Honorable Mention All-Americans and WAC Champions. Their feat marked the first time the Chicago State's men's track & field program was represented at the national meet.
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