Futrell moves to eighth all-time in goals as C-N claims a vital OT win.

Video: Simon Duffy Interview

Video: Emilee Futrell Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second time in three 2021 home matches, it took Carson-Newman (3-1, 3-1 SAC) extra time to claim a result against a SAC foe from McCown Field. Thursday was a down-and-dirty matchup (especially the weather) as the Eagles and the Tusculum Pioneers (2-4-1, 2-2-1 SAC) battled for second place in pod three of the SAC during this year. This is the first time C-N has seen two matches go to extra time over a four-game span since October 2019 against Catawba and Tusculum in November 2019. Both of those were on the road with C-N tying with the Indians 1-1 and claiming a 3-2 victory over the Pioneers in Greeneville.

Senior Emilee Futrell (Wilson, N.C.) was the pinnacle difference maker who provided the extra lift of effort as she pushed across the game-winner in the 99^th minute after a beautiful assist from senior teammate Kristina Markfort (Munster, Germany). With the game-winner, Futrell now holds sole possession of eighth place in C-N Women's Soccer history for career goals, only three behind former assistant coach Julianne Herrity who had 34 during her career. The goal also gives Futrell sole possession of the team lead in goals with her now totaling four on the season. 

2️⃣ goals today
8️⃣th all time in C-N history in goals @EmileeFutrell calls game for @CNWSoccer

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— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 25, 2021

Futrell was not only the difference maker in the end, but she was also the one who kick started the scoring for C-N with her goal in the 16^th minute. As she overcame the less-than-ideal field conditions to net her first goal on the day, Futrell moved into a four-way tie for 8^th all-time in Carson-Newman history with 30 career net-rippers. After receiving a lovely assist from sophomore Makayla Garner (Fort Mill, S.C.), Futrell made both a Tusculum defender and the Tusculum goalkeeper, CeCe Mortensen, run into each other before pretty much dribbling straight into the goal to score and give C-N an early 1-0 lead. 

The goal pushed Futrell into a tie with Trenna Howell (2008-11), Claire Ramsdale (2003-07), and Hallie Stamm (1995-98).

"We were just really glad to get this game in with the weather we knew would possibly be coming. We know we did not play our best and it showed in the second half," Futrell said. "As for scoring the goals, I'm just glad to be able to help my team out and be among some C-N legends in this category. I had no idea about my spot until I saw it on Twitter and to be this close to catching a legend in Jules means a lot. Jules, I don't want to do it but I might just have to pass you sometime soon."

Much like Monday night in Greeneville, the Eagles doubled their lead before the halftime break. This time around, it was Garner who found the back of the net after getting an assist from fellow sophomore Addie Henry (Chattanooga, Tenn.). With her goal, Garner is now second on the team in goals after scoring a brace against Mars Hill before adding today's result.

At the halftime break, both teams looked optistimc for the second half as the sun started to peek out and the teams were switching sides. The sides combined for 13 shots at half with Tusculum compiling 7 to C-N's 6. The Pioneers landed five shots on goal while C-N found three shots on goal for their half and led by the 2-0 score thanks to Futrell and Garner. Of the seven shots by Tusculum at half, freshman goalkeeper Lilly Ebner (Hohentengen, Germany) made five saves to push her 2021 total to 17 on the 2021 season.

Tusculum was able to breakthrough in the second half as Jamila Thombs took a throw-in to find teammate Brianna Garcia right in front of net to make the deficit down to 2-1 in favor of C-N. This was the first goal allowed in over 243 minutes of gameplay since allowing LMU to score a goal with 24.3 seconds left in 2OT on Feb. 25. The Pioneers continued their momentum as Brianna Garcia found her way behind the Eagles defense to tie the game at two apiece off a corner with 13:42 left on the clock.

"Not the prettiest of games but it was important for us to get it in today. Great first half for us with few quality finishes and very proud of the girls for finishing the game after allowing them to come back," Duffy said. "We let the second half get away from us, but I know this team was able of coming back to get the win. Personally, I think I've aged in the last 99 minutes and I will always take a win no matter how close or how ugly."

This marks the first back-to-back-to-back SAC wins for the Eagles since October 2019 when they won three straight over Coker, Mars Hill, and Limestone. In the end, C-N climbed their way back to outshoot Tusculum by a 14-11 margin including having half of their attempts fall on goal. Ebner finished with six saves on the day and now has 18 through four games as an Eagle while moving to 3-1 on her Eagles career as the net guardian. Carson-Newman now has amassed 26 shots on the year to build upon their SAC lead while also collecting three more assists. The three-match assist streak of freshman Molly Bukiewicz (Beavercreek, Ohio) ended Thursday as she only had one shot to her name.

"We need to get back to what we know how to do and the turf at Science Hill will help," Duffy said. "I think we just need to take the time tomorrow to recover and get our minds right before we prepare for a tough and competitive match on Sunday with LMU."

Under Duffy, the Eagles are now 12-1 in games played during the day while holding a record of 18-2-0 when a senior finds the back of the net. Against the SAC at home under Duffy, Carson-Newman is 9-4-2 against SAC opponents from McCown Field.

The Eagles have another quick turnaround as the Eagles are back in action for the third time this week as they travel to Johnson City for a rematch with the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters. The first of the match of the year ended from McCown Field with a 2-1 result in 2OT falling to LMU after a goal with only 24.3 seconds left.

Kickoff is slated for Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. between the Eagles and Railsplitters. Live stats from Science Hill High School will be provided by the staff at Lincoln Memorial with real-time updates coming from @CNathletics on Twitter.

-CN-