SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's soccer team tied West Virginia Wesleyan College Thursday afternoon, 2-2, in a non-conference match to open the 2021 season at Egli Field.
SRU faced a two-goal deficit in the second half before the senior duo of
Jordyn Minda and
Rachel Edge pulled The Rock even with the Bobcats thanks to a pair of second-half goals that forced overtime and eventually led to a tie.
Trailing 2-0 to start the second half, The Rock began their comeback bid in the 51st minute on a
Sydney Patrick dish to Minda, who promptly fired off her first goal of the year to cut the Bobcat lead to 2-1.
Following Minda's goal, Slippery Rock's stout defense proceeded to limit West Virginia Wesleyan to just one shot on goal over the remainder of regulation, an attempt that was saved by goalkeeper
Emma Yoder, which allowed SRU's offense to continue its pressure on the Bobcat back line with Edge ultimately burying a rocket in the back of the net via a pass from
Nina King to tie the game in the 89th minute.
SRU was able to produce four shots over the two overtime periods without allowing a single Bobcat attempt, but was unable to register the game-winning goal on the way to a 2-2 tie. Thursday's game marked The Rock's first tie in a season opener in program history.
Although West Virginia Wesleyan scored the game's first two goals, Slippery Rock ended the match holding healthy advantages in total shots (22-6), shots on goal (11-4) and corners (12-2).
Minda paced the offense with one goal and four total shots, three of which were target. Edge followed closely with four of her own, including the dramatic game-tying goal.
In addition to her assist, Patrick also had three shots with the quintet of
Kayla Swope,
Katy Ericson,
Julia Mascaro,
Reagan Reeves and
Brooke Riefenstahl all taking two shots and
Georgia Nagucki registering one as well.
Yoder played the duration of Thursday's contest, recording two saves.
Natalie Pireu and Savannah Masterson accounted for West Virginia Wesleyan's goals. Bobcat goalkeeper Ally Moore made nine saves.
The Rock returns to action at Fairmont State University 1 p.m. Sunday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GOAL: WVWC 1, ROCK 0; 25:56: Natalie Pireu
GOAL: WVWC 2, ROCK 0; 39:03: Savannah Masterson
GOAL: WVWC 2, ROCK 1; 50:33:
Jordyn Minda
GOAL: ROCK 2, WVWC 2; 88:15:
Rachel Edge
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