Hildebrand delivers late to lift Eutectics past Principia

ELSAH, IL – Consider this one success by sheer volume. The University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy played the law of averages on Tuesday night against the Principia Panthers. If you squeeze off enough shots, it is only a matter of time before good things happen. That was the case for the Eutectics in the 79^th minute on one of their final shots of the night when Alexa Hildebrand provided the game winner on her second goal of the season, leading UHSP to a 2-1 win.

Principia got the opening goal 26-minutes in when Kaylee Kleist scored to make it 1-0 with Makayla Kurtz and Zoe Houseman collecting assists on the play. The goal came against Eutectics netminder Lauren Harding who was making her second start between the pipes. It was one of only two shots on the evening that Harding saw as she made her lone save on the other. UHSP was kept off the board in the first half despite outshooting Principia, 13-4.

The visitors continued their offensive pressure in the second half unleashing 14 more shots to the Panthers five. The Purple and Gold finally pushed one past Leslie Barrera just 3:44 into the second half when Hildebrand fed Isabelle Rogers for her third goal of the year and a 1-1 tie. UHSP continued to pepper the Panther defense and unloaded ten more shots before Hildebrand broke through with the game winner with just over 11 minutes left in regulation. Lindsay English had a corner kick for UHSP that was deflected back to her. She sent another ball back into the congestion and Hildebrand capitalized. Principia managed two more errant shots as the Eutectics pulled out their second consecutive win with Harding picking up the victory in the net.

Total shots on goal favored the Eutectics 9-2 with Barrera making seven saves for the home club. Hildebrand led the way offensively with seven of the Eutectics' 27 total shots with Allison Hennessy recording five. Hannah Tyree had four shots with three of them being on goal.

UHSP (2-2) is now 2-4-1 all-time against Principia after last year's 3-2 win snapped a five-match winless skid head-to-head. With two wins, the Eutectics have already matched their win total from all of last year. They are primed for their first three-win season since 2021 as they do not leave St. Louis for the rest of the month of September. UHSP plays host to Indiana University-Columbus (IUPUC) on Sunday afternoon at 2:00p. After that, Oakland City comes to town on Saturday, Sept. 21 before the American Midwest Conference slate opens on Sept. 28 at home against Central Baptist.