Tim Castaneda, Sports Writer, @xTIMBOxSLICEx
The UC Riverside women’s soccer team escaped a close double overtime match at Clyde Field with a 1-1 draw Friday night after facing a UVU team that had won four straight matches by shutout.
The UC Riverside women came out firing with many shot opportunities in the first half as they controlled possession on the UVU side of the field. They ended the first half of play with a total of 9 shots. The shot on goal advantage for the first 45 minutes went to UC Riverside with a difference of 3-1. UVU’s poised defense played hard to get their 9th straight scoreless half to keep their team in it.
After a second half switch with defender Lexi Robison being moved to mid-field, the lady Wolverines had greater success in their offensive attack in the second half. Forward Kali Stubbs put her team on the scoreboard first in the 73rd minute of play as she moved past the UC Riverside defenders and reached the ball within 18 feet from the goal. They finished the half with a 5-1 shot on goal advantage.
The opposition didn’t back down from the aggressive second half attack from UVU. They responded with a goal 5 minutes later on a long shot from 40 feet by UC Riverside’s Tatum Lockett. The goal was the first goal given up by UVU since August 31 in a game against Boise State that ended in a 1-1 draw. Their fight showed as Riverside’s Tayler Dragoo held UVU Keeper Jessica Duffin from getting back into position after Duffin dove to the ground defending an incoming ball. Dragoo was disqualified with a red card after as the two got into a little scuffle as Duffin confronted her during the whistle. Neither team scored in the remaining 15 minutes leading to a 1-1 tie in regulation
The teams showed determination in their offensive attacks as they battled in two ten minute overtime periods. After 5 minutes in the first overtime period, UVU mid-fielder Jamie Brown tried to score on a put back attempt after the ball deflected to her inside from 20 feet but couldn’t connect. Riverside’s Jade Vehawn attempted to gain ball control inside UVU’s goal box 5 minutes into the second overtime period but fell on the ground. The play had the riverside bench asking for a penalty on the no call. After the final whistle neither team emerged victorious as the score remained 1-1.
UVU women’s soccer finishes its 7-game home stand unbeaten with a record of 5-0-2, as the team improves to 5-2-2 in the regular season.
The team next heads north to face in-state rival Utah in Salt Lake City at 1 p.m. MT Sunday September 21.
