Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Belmont Women's soccer entered their third overtime appearance of the season finishing in a 1-1 tie against Jacksonville State. The first goal of the game was scored by Loren House off of a corner kick sent in by Avery Nowak.
A scoreless yet competitive first half of the game, possession remained relatively even between the Bruins and the Gamecocks.
The Bruins earned the first corner of the match within the first five minutes of the game, telling to them being number one in the Ohio Valley Conference in corner kicks.
Natalie Haverland with the first shot of the game in the tenth minute. Taking the ball from the back line up the center of the field. With a quick scissor near the top of the box Haverland shot, ultimately saved by the Gamecocks goalie.
Claire Fallon was not only a force on the backline tonight but offensively as well. Consistently making plays forward and making her way up the field taking her space.
Rachel Vernon with a freekick in the Gamecocks halve sends it in for a shot, saved by the Gamecocks goalie.
After a quick step-in from Vernon, Haverland takes the ball up the middle again for another shot for the Bruins.
Beautiful high ball save by Doyle in the 21st minute redirecting the ball out of danger.
Rachel Vernon breaks up a shot in the 30th minute at the top of the box. Setting the stage for the Bruins who took possession into the Gamecocks half.
The Bruins ended the first half with three shots all being on target, one corner kick, and Doyle recorded three saves.
Both teams amped up their playing levels and speed of game for the second ninety. The Bruins started off strong holding majority of the possession in the middle third of the pitch.
"We needed to clean up our touches and our pass selection. Stay disciplined in our game plan and we must win first and second balls," said Head Coach Heather Henson on their plan going into the second half.
Andrea Leitner started the second half for the Bruins.
A beautiful cross in from Patterson in the 49th minute but the Bruins could not get another touch on it to secure the goal but secured a corner.
Avery Nowak sends the corner kick into the center of the box, House able to get a foot on it sending it past the Gamecocks goalie in bottom left corner Bruins lead 1-0 in the 49th minute.
The Gamecocks has a counter attacking opportunity to tie up the match 1-1 in the 59th minute.
Another defender making a difference on the pitch tonight was Vernon with two shots in her defensive position.
The Bruins found a better combination in the second half, they remained calm in the backline being able to pass it through to their forwards.
"Knowing JSU would bring high energy to the game. We needed to focus on breaking lines with quick combination play. We did a much better job doing that in the second half."
In the 85th minute Anna Sweeney shot from far out saved by the Gamecocks goalie.
The Bruins headed into overtime for the third time this season.
Anna Sweeney with a corner kick in the 91st minute deflected by the Gamecocks goalie for another corner.
Possession was back and forth in this first overtime with both teams recording one shot.
After a scoreless first overtime the score remained 1-1.
Leitner held down the net for the Bruins with 2 shots against her in the second overtime.
The Bruins recorded 10 shots tonight, 8 total saves 3 from Doyle in the first half, 5 from Leitner in the second half, and 6 total corner kicks.
"We need to come out to win the aerial battle from the start. We also learned that we can go a full 110 if needed."
Neither team was able to score a golden goal the Bruins tied the Gamecocks 1-1 for their first tie of the season.
Next Up:
The Bruins hit the road again Sunday, September 26 to take on South East Missouri. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
