BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Despite a late equalizing goal from Autumn Woodard and a strong effort by Carlotta Cartelli in net, the Louisiana Tech soccer team suffered its first loss of the season by falling in overtime to WKU, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at the WKU Soccer Complex.
 
After coming away with three points in a road win at Old Dominion on Friday, LA Tech (9-1-1, 1-1 C-USA) was in position to steal at least one point in another tough road contest at WKU (6-2-1, 2-0 C-USA). 
 
Woodard made more magic offensively by netting a goal with less than 10 minutes to go in regulation to tie the match up at 1-1.  And with only four-plus minutes remaining in the second OT period, the Lady Toppers netted a penalty kick for the golden goal.
 
"The deciding factor in the game today was physicality," said head coach Kevin Sherry.  "Technically and tactically we were in the game, but physically we just got outmatched today.  The team did great as soccer players, but fell just short with regards to athleticism which could be attributed to the tough travel and playing two road games in three days.
 
"However, being able to come away with three points this weekend is a positive."
 
Neither team flinched in the first period as the game was scoreless at halftime, but the action certainly picked up in the second period. 
 
WKU was the one who snapped the nil-nil game in the 70th minute when Deven Jackson got possession of a 50-50 ball on the edge of the box and placed her shot at the near post from 18 yards away.
 
LA Tech would not go down without a fight though.  And in the 83rd minute, the team had a breakaway as Connor Barker fed Woodard who dribbled down the left before shooting to inside far post. 
 
It brought her season total to 13 goals which is tied for the most by a Lady Techster in a single season in program history. 
 
The match would go into overtime where Cartelli picked up two of her career-high 11 saves in the first 10 minutes.  Unfortunately, a foul in the box by a LA Tech defender in the 106th minute gave the Lady Toppers a penalty kick and Ashley Leonard converted.
 
LA Tech now looks forward to a three-game home stand that starts on Friday, Oct. 4 against Florida Atlantic.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Ruston Junior High School.
 
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