Box Score  | Photo Gallery

PULASKI, Tenn. – Trailing 1-0 throughout the second half of the match, Tam Grzybowski evened the score within the final minutes of regulation and Paige Eli's golden goal in overtime completed the Davenport University women's soccer team's 2-1 come-from-behind upset victory over 11^th-ranked Martin Methodist College Sunday afternoon.


Although the Panthers claimed the victory, the RedHawks had a 12-9 shooting advantage and a 4-2 corner kick advantage.


The RedHawks dominated the first half over the Panthers. They held a 6-2 shooting advantage in the half and came close to finding the back of the net in the 38^th minute. A a cross from the left side past Panther goalkeeper Michelle Marcus, leaving an open spot in the net, but Laken Duchar-Clark cleared the ball before the RedHawks offense can take an open shot.


Martin Methodist got on board just over one minute into the second half on a penalty kick. Despite the Lady Panthers held a 6-3 shooting advantage in the half, the RedHawks was in control for a majority of the match. As the match was approaching the end, the Lady Panthers evened the score in the 88^th minute. After receiving a pass from Eli, Alyssa Malone kept the ball away from the RedHawks until she found Gryzbowski on the left side of the penalty area. Grzybowski made a few touches before her shot arced to the right post and into the net.


The RedHawks continued to show domination over the Lady Panthers in the first overtime period, holding a 3-1 shooting advantage. In the 96^th minute, Thelma Gylfadottir picked up the loose ball near the end line and sent it across to Eli, who made a few touches before taking Davenport's only shot in the period for the match-winning goal.


Before hitting the road again this coming weekend, the Lady Panthers will host WHAC rival Aquinas College in a non-conference match at DU Turf Field Wednesday at 8 p.m.


Post-Match Quotes - Head coach Chris Allen
On the emotional win: - “It was an incredible effort by our players to dig so deep and come back against a very talented 11th-ranked Martin Methodist team. We played our game and found some good rhythm for a small part in the first half. We kicked it on an extra gear in the second half and looked dangerous for large spells. MMC is so dangerous though. They led all the way until Tam's goal three minutes from match time, and she hit that beautifully. We never gave up and tried multiple ways to break down a quality team. Full credit goes to the players today because they really have bought into our system and what is required to become a successful team. Winning in overtime, from a quality goal was indescribable, we are thrilled to bits. But this is just one match and we really have to concentrate on being consistent and take our game to our very tough WHAC opponents. It's going to be a very tough WHAC conference this year."


Post-Match Notes
Davenport wins the inaugural meeting against Martin Methodist…the match win is also the Lady Panthers first against a NAIA top 25 team…Paige Eli has notched an assist in back-to-back matches this weekend, she assisted Laken Duchar-Clark's goal at Freed-Hardeman Friday and Tam Grzybowski's goal Sunday at the RedHawks…Lizzie Paul returned to field Sunday after serving a suspension from a red card she received a week ago...it is the first time Davenport had to play an overtime period this season… Michelle Marcus made six saves on the afternoon for a season-high...for assisting Paige Eli's overtime goal, Thelma Gylfadottir is now Davenport's all-time assists leader with 12, passing Britteny Willis' (2008-11) 11.


Follow Davenport Athletics on: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | You Tube


Follow Davenport Women's Soccer on: FACEBOOK