DAYTON, Ohio - Junior Vanessa Mueggler rifled home the game winner in the second overtime to give visiting Middle Tennessee a 2-1 triumph against Wright State in a match delayed over 50 minutes due to lightning in the area and played through a steady rain in the opening half at Alumni Field in Dayton, Ohio.
It marked the first overtime contest of the campaign for the Blue Raiders and their first victory while playing extra time since a 1-0 double overtime decision against Troy in the Sun Belt Tournament Nov. 2, 2005.
Mueggler knocked home the deciding score on a hard shot to the upper right 90 from 35 yards out past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Meghan Hackerson at 103:49 for her first career game winner.
"I really did not see anything when I shot, I just knew I had to," Mueggler said. "It feels really good to get the win because everyone contributed."
The Raiders got on the board first at 6:35 when Brittany Persaud sent a cross from the left side, which found the head of Jen Agueci from eight yards out. By scoring first, Wright State became the first MT opponent this season to take a lead.
Freshman Allison Stallard uncovered a loose ball from 12 yards out at 30:52 to knot the scoring at 1-1. The Blue Raiders' Mueggler had placed the ball near the cage on a corner kick, but when a Wright State (0-3) attempted clear went awry, Stallard shot low underneath Hackerson for her first collegiate goal. She became the 10th different Middle Tennessee player to score this season.
"It was a good overall team win," Blue Raider head coach Aston Rhoden said. "I am really proud of the fact that we came back from a goal and were still able to win the game. It was good to see us come out, fight and battle, and reap the rewards of a good night's work."
The Blue Raiders gained a man-advantage just over two minutes passed into the second half when WSU's Lori Anderson wrestled Whitney Jorgenson to the ground, drawing an automatic red card.
Middle Tennessee (3-0) had a pair of chances with just over 23 minutes remaining in regulation. Shan Jones launched a shot from 25 yards out, which was juggled by Hackerson. The loose ball landed at the feet of Jorgenson, who attempted to put the ball into the back of the net but was denied by a sliding Hackerson.
Wright State had a pair of chances around the 20-minute mark on consecutive corner kicks, but the Blue Raider defense stood tall and held the even score. Agueci had a chance with 14:15 to play in regulation, but her shot was right at MT goalkeeper Rebecca Cushing.
Cushing came up with a big save halfway through the first overtime. Amber Kasmer slipped behind the Blue Raider defense on a long through ball, but her shot was right at Cushing for the save.
Middle Tennessee will stay in the Dayton area when it plays at Atlantic 10 foe Dayton at 1 p.m. Sunday.
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