Nov. 14, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following her game-winning goal in the 89th minute against Ohio State, Stephanie Amack was named the National Player of the Week by Top Drawer Soccer.
“I am happy to see her get national recognition for that game but over the course of the season, she has had a big impact in the way we defended,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. “She organizes exceptionally well, she puts players in good positions in front of her and takes great angles when she defends. She is very good in the air and then on the opposite side of the ball, she is great in possession. It is recognition that is well deserved not for just one game but the entire season.”
Last Friday, the Commodores and No. 4 seed Buckeyes faced off in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament with the scored tied at 1-1 in the final minutes of regulation.
The match looked destined for extra time until Amack stepped up and made a play on the Commodores late corner. Leila Azari sent the kick high into the box and Amack beat her defender and headed it towards the near post. Ohio State’s keeper got a hand on the ball but it was already behind the line and in for the go-ahead goal.
The Dores kept Ohio State off the board in the final minute and clinched a 2-1 upset win to advance on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
It was the Commodores first NCAA win since 1998 and Amack’s goal gave the Buckeyes their first loss of the season when they scored the opening goal. Entering the match, Ohio State was 15-0 when scoring first. It was also only the second time all season the Buckeyes had conceded more than one goal.
Amack and the Commodores will continue their NCAA Tournament run this Friday when they face Santa Clara in the second round. Friday’s second round match is set for a 2 pm CT start in Columbia, S.C and will be broadcast on SEC Network +.
