OT goal lifts Zias to victory

Travis McCorkle doesn’t give the Eastern New Mexico University women’s team many style points, but so far the results have been acceptable.

Senior forward Megan Dozier had two goals and an assist, including the game-winning tally in overtime, as the Zias completed a season-opening 3-1 homestand on Tuesday with a 4-3 win over Texas-Permian Basin at the ENMU soccer complex.

Dozier scored on a through pass from senior Anna Funck to end the contest in the fourth minute of the overtime period.

“I’m still not real excited with how we’re playing,” said McCorkle, the Zias’ fourth-year coach. “But we’re finding ways to snatch victory from defeat.

“I’m concerned that when we get to (Lone Star) Conference play. I’m not feeling very comfortable about it.”

The Zias now hit the road for six matches, beginning with Division I Texas-El Paso on Friday night. The Miners reached the finals of the Conference USA tournament last season.

Permian Basin (1-3), which lost at ENMU 3-0 last season, gave the Zias a much tougher struggle this time. The Falcons scored first just over 12 minutes into the match and tied the game twice in the second half, including with about 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation on a goal by Tiffany Richter.

Sophomore midfielder Hillary Gintowt scored unassisted for the Zias to tie the match in the first half, and freshman midfielder Michelle Sumner put ENMU up 3-2 with less than 11 minutes to go with her first collegiate goal.

Richter tied it, though, less than five minutes later to set up the overtime.

“They’ve improved quite a bit (over last season),” McCorkle said of the Falcons. “I think their attack is much better, (but) we gave them a lot of opportunities.

“A loss could have been devastating. On the positive side, we’re finding ways to win.”