DENTON, Texas (Oct. 1) – The TWU soccer team played to a 2-2 tie with visiting Texas A&M-Commerce Thursday night at TWU Soccer Field. All four goals were scored in the second half.
The Pioneers' senior goalkeeper made a career-high 11 saves including six in the scoreless first half. Senior
Natalia Diaz assisted on both TWU goals.
Both teams went back and forth in the first 45 minutes with numerous scoring opportunities. The Lions had a slight edge in shots, 10-9, including six on goal but Morrison kept them out the net to keep the score at 0-0 at the break.
The Pioneers struck first in the second half at 58:22 mark when sophomore
Megan Coppedge's header in front of the net off a set piece found the back off the net. A&M-Commerce responded in the 67th minute on Vicky Back's eight goal of the season to tie the score at 1-1.
TWU regained the lead in the 73rd minute off a corner kick by Diaz. Junior
Chelsea Martin tipped the corner in the crowded box to freshman
Ashley Bishop who found the net on a low shot. The Lions again responded when Savannah Grasser collected a loss ball and scored on a low hard shot from 10 yards out in the 79th minute.
In the first overtime Texas A&M-Commerce controlled the ball most of the time but could not find the net. In the second it was all Pioneers as they got off four corner kicks and four shots but couldn't score as they settled for a tie.
"Overall I am pleased with our effort against a very good team," said TWU head coach
Babak Abouzar. "I would have loved to win that game but we will take the tie and the one point in the conference standings. We were focused on what we wanted to do on the set piece and the corner kick and we were able to score. Commerce doesn't give up lot of goals and this is first time any body scored two goals on them this season. Our defense played really well. Ariana made some big saves in the net and Kayla (Gorney) and Maddison (Purdy) were tough on defense."
A&M-Commerce finished the game with a slight advantage in shots, 25-24, and shots on goal, 13-10, while the Pioneers had the advantage in corner kicks, 11-6.
TWU is now 5-3-2 on the season and 1-1-1 in the Lone Star Conference. The Pioneers will get a break and will return to action in eight days when they travel to Canyon, TX, to face West Texas A&M on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
