Box Score PENSCAOLA, Fla. – For the second time in the past four contests,
Khadijah Jannah scored in overtime to propel the University of Alabama in Huntsville women's soccer team to victory as the Lady Chargers won at the Gulf South Conference Tournament for the first time in program history with a 2-1 decision over West Alabama. Fifth-seeded UAH improves to 10-9 while No. 4 seed West Alabama concludes the year at 7-9-3.
With the score deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the Blue and White controlled play in the overtime period and ultimately they were rewarded.
Cady Reisman made a nice run in deep and crossed it towards the front of the goal, and after the ball deflected off a UWA defender, it landed at the feet of Jannah who was able to tap it in to produce the victory, sparking the third celebration for an overtime victory this season.
The game was quite close to not going to extra time, but UAH keeper
Iris Gunnarsdottir was determined to give her team a chance to win the game.
West Alabama was strong in the second half – especially in the final 20 minutes – but the Reykjavik, Iceland, native made four of her nine saves in the period to keep the contest tied, and each of the stops were of the impressive variety.
The play in the second stanza was no indication, however, of how the game started.
Head Coach
Jimmy Mitchell described his team's start as perhaps some of the best soccer the team had played all season, and the team was quickly rewarded for their efforts. Just 94 seconds into the game,
Niina Jetsu booted a ball from about 30 yards out, and it sailed into the upper-right corner to quickly put the Lady Chargers on top 1-0.
The pressure continued to be applied, and the Blue and White put together four more strong chances, none greater perhaps than
Sydnie Fiocca's header attempt in the 20th minute that went just wide.
After weathering the UAH storm, West Alabama's Nicki Gears scored off a rebound in the 21st minute to knot the game at 1-1.
UWA held a 6-4 advantage in corners in the contest and also led the Lady Chargers 25-12 in shots.
The team will now take on No. 1 seed West Florida at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. When the two teams met in Huntsville earlier in the year, UWF won a 4-1 game that was closer than the final score would imply.
