GWU Gets Second Half Goals From Reimer and Curan, Comes From Behind to Tie High Point 2-2 Saturday Night
October 09, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb used stellar second half defense, headlined by 11 saves by Erika Lenns, and just enough offense in overcoming a two goal second half deficit to tie High Point 2-2 Saturday night at Greene-Harbison Field in Big South Conference action.
With the tie, Gardner-Webb moves to 2-5-5 overall and 0-2-2 in the Big South on the season while High Point goes to 4-8-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the Big South.
GWU got off to a rocky start in the first half, allowing six shots to the attacking offense of High Point. The Panthers broke through in the 34th minute when Becca Hemby followed a rebound off a diving save by Lenns and headed it into the back of the net.
The Runnin' Bulldogs nearly countered a minute later, but a header from senior Dawn Rollyson was saved by Panther keeper Andrea Ritchie as High Point went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Lenns fought off three quick shot attempts by the Panthers early in the second half, two coming in succession in a one-on-one situation on shots by High Point's Jacky Kessler, to keep High Point from extending the lead early.
GWU found themselves in a 2-0 hole when High Point's Kelli Jolline took an assist from Hemby and put it into the back of the net from 10 yards out.
Gardner-Webb's defense stiffened the rest of the way, making big play after big play to give the Runnin' Bulldog offense a chance to step up.
GWU's offense did just that, breaking through in the 70th minute to cut the deficit to one. Senior Megan Reimer capitalized when a blocked shot fell her way 5 yards in front of the goal, putting it in past the Panther keeper for her 3rd goal of the season.
High Point nearly countered a minute later, but a shot on goal by Melissa Sweredowski was saved on a heady play by junior Sarah Morabito in the left side of the goal.
Gardner-Webb's offense responded once again as freshman Megan Curan provided the equalizer in the 85th minute, heading in an assist from freshman defender Addison Abee five yards out to tie the score at 2-2.
Once again, High Point went for the quick counter a minute later, but Lenns came up big again with one of her eleven saves on the night to secure the tie and force overtime.
GWU was unable to get an open look at the goal in the first overtime period. Lenns picked up another save off another Lisson shot attempt to keep the score knotted at two.
The Panthers nearly ended it early in the second overtime period, earning a one-on-one opportunity versus Lenns when Hemby took a pass from Joline 12 yards in front of the goal. Yet again, Lenns kept the Runnin' Bulldogs in the match with a huge play, reaching full extension on a diving save to deflect the ball away from the goal.
Gardner-Webb got its best look of the night on a breakaway by Reimer, but Ritchie recorded a save of her own to keep the score at 2-2.
The Runnin' Bulldog defense needed to make one more big play to preserve the tie and did just that when in the 108th minute sophomore forward Ele Margelos made a brilliant sliding deflection to save a shot on goal off the foot of Joline.
The tie was the second of the weekend for the Runnin' Bulldogs, including the 0-0 double overtime decision on Thursday against Liberty. GWU's defense, headlined by Lenns, came up big in both contests.
"I'm proud of the way the girls have battled this weekend," said Head Coach Kevin Mounce. "Coming from behind in this one, the girls came out and gave a great effort, and as a coach I couldn't ask for any more than that."
GWU will return to the pitch in a conference match at Radford on October 13 in Radford, Va. High Point will next host Liberty in Big South action on October 11 in High Point, N.C.
| Gardner-Webb vs. High Point - Box Score |
