GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Marja Enste scored off a free kick with 28.9 seconds remaining to give Tusculum University a 1-0 victory over Emory & Henry University in South Atlantic Conference women’s soccer Wednesday evening at Pioneer Field.
Enste’s shot from 30 yards away was punched into the air by Wasps keeper Sophia Wagner, but spun into the net to give the Pioneers (5-5-2, 3-2-1 SAC) the dramatic victory over the Wasps (6-3-2, 1-3-2 SAC). Noemie Tartrou finished with five saves for the Pioneers to earn her second shutout of the season.
Tusculum had a 17-7 shot advantage over Emory & Henry in the match, with Wagner making seven saves for the Wasps before conceding the winner to Enste, which was her second goal of the season and second game-winner. The goal was also the first at Pioneer Field for Enste in her 30th career game on her home field.
The Wasps nearly scored five minutes into the match as a loose ball in the box went to Annie Becker, but Enste was able to kick her shot away from the line. Kirsten Sadlon had a shot from 30 yards out in the 25th minute that was deflected over the crossbar by Wagner. Tusculum had five shots on goal in the first half, but most were from long range and easily played by Wagner.
Tartrou made two outstanding saves early in the second half, stopping a short-side attempt from Siena Booth in the 49th minute and making a full-out lunge to deny Wasps leading scorer Charlotte Stavis in the 58th minute. Tusculum had a great chance in the 78th minute when Emory & Henry was whistled for playing the ball directly to the keeper. The ensuing free kick came from the corner of the 6, but Marin Wills‘ attempt was smothered by the Wasps’ defense.
The Pioneers earned another free kick with just over nine minutes left, and Caroline Heintzelman‘s service was headed off the crossbar by Addison Rishling and the rebound attempt by Wilma Axelsson was gathered in by Wagner. Tartrou made her final save of the evening on a one-hop attempt from distance by Stavis with just under three minutes to go.
Emory & Henry took four corner kicks to three for Tusculum in the match, while the Wasps were whistled for 16 fouls to 10 for the Pioneers. Emory & Henry was also flagged three times for offsides to zero for Tusculum.
The Pioneers will step out of conference play to take on Bluefield State on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. at Pioneer Field. The Big Blues are 2-6-1 overall, with their last match a 4-1 loss to Lincoln Memorial on Oct. 8.
