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Women's Soccer

RADFORD COMES OUT GOLDEN IN OT AT HIGH POINT; BEST START IN PROGRAM HISTORY

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HIGH POINT, N.C. – Senior Sydney Golden continues to step up in key moments as she scored on a free kick with 20 seconds left in the first overtime lifting Radford to a 2-1 comeback win at High Point on Saturday evening at Vert Stadium. By winning at High Point for the first time since 2003, the Highlanders (12-1-1, 8-0 Big South) are off to their best start in program history.
 
Following a foul that was earned by senior Sahar Aflaki just outside the 18, Golden bent a free kick around the wall and into the left side of the net for her fifth goal of the season, matching Aflaki and freshman Britney Kendall for the team lead. It was the senior defender's second golden goal of the season and third overall. She also has four game-winning assists in league play.
 
"Set pieces decide close games in the Big South and Syd's (Golden) free kick was fantastic," said head coach Ben Sohrabi.
 
The victory was the ninth straight for the Highlanders as they rallied past the Panthers (5-9-1, 3-4-1) for their third overtime win of the season. It also extended Radford's program record nine-game winning and 19-match unbeaten (15-0-4) Big South regular season streaks
 
High Point controlled play for the majority of the first half and struck first in the 23rd minute when Kelli Joline, off a feed from Jacky Kessler chipped the ball over Che' Brown for the 1-0 lead. It was just the third opponent to score first against the Highlanders this season. Brown finished with six saves, four in the first half.
 
The Panthers outshot the Highlanders 9-4, taking the first eight shots before Radford finally charted its first in the 29th minute. After Becca Henby hit the crossbar in the 30th, the Highlanders settled down and recorded three chances, the last two by freshman Britney Kendall, in the final 2:30 of the first half.
 
"I coached and we played a poor first half," commented Sohrabi. "We played Radford women's soccer the remainder of the game and had a great comeback at a tough place to get three points."
 
Radford recorded the equalizer in the 75th on an own goal. Freshman Melanie Priestley was found on a run down the right sideline and her service into the six was redirected into the goal by a Panther defender.
 
Prior to Golden's strike, Radford had two overtime good opportunities by sophomores Asyia Mitchell and Sally Dillinger denied by HPU keeper Jessi May, who finished with three saves.
 
High Point outshot Radford, 19-12, but the Highlanders charted all five shots in the overtime period.
 
The Highlanders continue on the road, Wednesday, Oct. 23 when they travel to Conway for a road test at Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
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