HARROGATE, Tenn. --- Kate Guildford scored the winning goal 2:01 into overtime as Tusculum University defeated Lincoln Memorial University 1-0 in South Atlantic Conference women's soccer action Wednesday afternoon.
Guildford took a pass from Brooke Radcliffe and chipped a shot over LMU keeper Ann-Marie O'Connell for her third goal of the season, all game-winners. The Pioneers (7-4-3, 4-2-2 SAC) extended their unbeaten streak to six matches (four wins, two ties) despite being outshot 19-8 by the Railsplitters (8-4-0, 4-3-0 SAC).
Tusculum goalkeeper Bailey Bosler earned her second shutout of the season by making four saves, while O'Connell also had four saves in goal for the Railsplitters.
Bosler came up with a pair of excellent saves for the Pioneers in the first half, stopping a shot from the top of the box from Maria Hernandez in the 26th minute, then denying Alyssa Berry by making a lunging stop toward the corner with 15 seconds remaining in the half.
In the second half, the Railsplitters had an opportunity as Itzel Ballesteros broke free down the right side, but shot wide to the near post in the 64th minute. Lincoln Memorial had a flurry of activiy in the 69th minute, but Bosler corralled a shot from 15 yards by Jessica Cravero to keep the match scoreless.
Cravero had three more shot attempts in the ensuing six minutes, but all went wide of the frame. She also took a free kick from 35 yards away with 5 1/2 minutes to go, but Bosler easily grabbed her attempt.
Ballesteros had a one-on-one situation with the defense with just over two minutes left, but she was forced to take a low-percentage shot that missed the target. Ballesteros had one more attempt with 30 seconds remaining that went just wide of the post, sending the teams to overtime.
After Ballesteros missed the target early in the overtime period, the Pioneers collected the game-winner as Radcliffe crossed to Guildford in front, who chipped the ball over O'Connell and into the net. It was the third overtime game in the last four matches for the Pioneers, and their fifth of the season (1-1-3 record).
Tusculum finished the match with a slim 10-9 edge in fouls over Lincoln Memorial, while the Railsplitters had six corner kicks to three for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers will host Mars Hill on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Field on Senior Day.