Coastal downs Troy in double-overtime thriller

Coastal Carolina Women’s Soccer needed double-overtime on Friday, Sept. 22 to take down Troy 2-1 in an emphatic double overtime thriller.

The Chanticleers got off to a hot start in the opening 10 minutes, firing three shots but all them went just wide of the net. Senior forward Daniella Famili’s shot in the 9th-minute was so close to finding the net.

Famili, who has scored six goals already this season for the Chanticleers, hadn’t scored since a 2-1 win against Winthrop on Sept. 1.

Coastal would fall behind early in the 12th-minute of the game when Julia Winters of Troy headed the ball home for the opening goal.

Coastal did outshoot the Trojans in the first half, 7 to 2, but could not get that equalizing goal.

In the second half, the Chanticleers held the Trojans shot less as the defense for the Chants remained tough and formidable in keeping their team within one goal down.

Coastal came close to equalizing in the 72nd-minute, but Abby Gashel’s shot hit the crossbar and the Chanticleers still trailed 1-0.

As time got closer to the final minute, Coastal kept their cool. With less than 90 seconds left, the Chanticleers marched down the field on a counter attack. Freshman forward Mackenzie Gibbs led the way and had teammates Kayla Christian and Montana Hill on either side.

However, the freshman had something else in mind. As the clock showed one minute remaining, Gibbs unleashed a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out and placed the ball beautifully in the top right corner, tying things up with 59 seconds remaining.

In the overtime period, the Chanticleers failed to record a shot and Troy almost got the game winner in the 92nd-minute when Kristen Edlund’s shot went wide.

In the second overtime period, Gibbs almost got her second of the game, but her shot in the 103rd-minute was saved. However, in the 106th-minute, Coastal would put the game to bed as Famili scored the game-winning goal, ending her five-game goalless streak.

Famili knocked the ball past the keeper after freshman midfielder Hannah Eiden’s shot hit the crossbar. The ball fell to the feet of Famili and she slotted the ball home for the game-winner.

Coastal improves to 7-3-0 on the season, the first time they’ve accomplished that feat since 2008.

The team plays at Louisiana-Monroe on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. as part of a three-game road trip for the Chanticleers. The Chanticleers return home on Oct. 5 as they take on Georgia State.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.