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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
4-0-2
Little Rock
3-3-0
Kizer's Golden Goal Lifts Rebels to Victory
9/6/2015 | Soccer
OXFORD, Miss. - Freshman CeCe Kizer netted an overtime goal to propel the Ole Miss soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Little Rock on Sunday evening at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. The golden goal secured another win for the Rebels (4-0-2) and kept their unbeaten record alive heading into Southeastern Conference play.
Kizer's outstanding freshman campaign continued tonight as she sent the game-winning goal into the back of the net for the Rebels. The thrilling goal was the sixth of the season for the young forward, including the third game-winner.
Ole Miss dominated the majority of the game, especially in the opening half as the Rebels outshot the Trojans (3-3-0) 17-0 during that period. Gretchen Harknett tallied seven shots and six shots on goals in the first half alone. The Rebels totaled 30 shots on the night, but the Trojans fought back hard with 14 saves credited to goalkeeper Sara Small.
"Sara Small was outstanding in the goal for them. Small is one of the best goalkeepers we have seen in a while," noted Ole Miss Head Coach Matthew Mott. "We tested her, I think. I was happy with the balls we put in the frame, but she was up for the challenge."
Ole Miss goalkeeper Marnie Merritt recorded her second individual shutout of the season and fourth combined overall. With a solid backline in front of her, Merritt only saw four shots sent her way, and she stopped the pair that landed on goal.
The Rebels controlled the first half of the game, continuously attacking the net and notching 17 shots. Harknett continued to help the Rebels threaten the goal as she sent a shot to the left side of the goal, but the Trojan goalkeeper was able to make a diving save. Small continued to perform at a high level for her team, tallying nine saves during the first half. Ole Miss was unable to convert during the first half and the two teams went into halftime tied at nil.
"I'm really pretty happy with how we played. We just need to clean it up in front of the goal. But, we kept the pressure on and moved some people around tonight. You have to give Little Rock credit, they fought and fought and made it really hard for us," said Mott.
The scoreless game continued throughout the second half, but the Rebels' performance remained dominant over the Trojans on both sides of the ball. The Ole Miss defense kept Little Rock away from the net, as the Trojans were only able to take four shots, all taking place in the second half.
With the game tied at nil, Ole Miss headed into overtime for the second consecutive game. In the 92nd minute, Harknett struck a beautiful shot, but the ball clanked off the left post, just wide of the upper-90. The Rebels kept fighting for the victory in extra minutes, and the hard work paid off. In the 96th minute, Harknett fed the ball in to Danielle Gray, who found Kizer in right side of the box. Kizer took advantage of her scoring opportunity, firing the ball from 10 yards out past the keeper and into the upper left corner of the net to claim a victory for Ole Miss.
"Kentucky is excellent. They are ranked nationally and they are a really good team. They handled us up there last year, so Kentucky is another team that we need to be prepared for. They have a great three-front and they are very well coached. It is SEC play so it brings another level."
The Rebels complete a seven game homestand when they return to the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium next Friday night, squaring off against Kentucky for the first conference match of the season at 6 p.m. before hosting Louisville on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. Ole Miss versus Kentucky will be aired on SEC Network, while fans can catch the Louisville game on SEC Network+.
Team Stats
CeCe Kizer (6)
Assisted By: Danielle Gray , Gretchen Harknett
shot from 10 yards, right side of box in
95:30
