Late Goal Forces Boxers, Pirates To 1-1 Deadlock
Box Score
FOREST GROVE – Sarah Berentson scored the game-tying goal with five minutes in regulation Saturday afternoon, bringing Whitworth back to force a 1-1 tie with Pacific in Northwest Conference women's soccer action at Lincoln Park Stadium.
For most of regulation, it looked as though
Shekema McCarthy's (Sr., Davis, Calif.) sixth minute goal would stand up as the Boxers (4-1-1, 1-0-1 NWC) dominated the offensive action in the opening 45 minutes. Whitworth (0-3-1, 0-1-1 NWC),made the needed adjustments in the second half, charging hard offensively before Berentson scored in the 85th minute.
The goal, however, came at a big price. After receiving a cross from Allie Smith, Berentson charged at full speed at Pacific goalie
Brittany Hartmann (Jr., Portland, Ore.) at the central area of the goal. The two players collided hard as Berentson knocked the ball into the net and lied on the field for a few minutes before being helped off the field. She did not return to the contest.
McCarthy connected for the Boxers' lone goal the sixth minute, punctuating a half that saw the Boxers control the offensive end of the pitch most of the half. McCarthy found herself open to collect an errant clearing attempt by a Whitworth defender, heading her second goal of the season into the far corner of the net.
The Pirates had their best look at a first half goal in closing moments of the stanza. Mackenzie Grow had had an open look from the near corner of the 18-yard box in the 43rd minute, but the fall flew right to the hands of Hartmann for the save.
Whitworth came out with renewed energy to open the second half, but the Boxers put up a strong defensive presence to keep the visitors out of the net. Sarah Berentson put together the Pirates' best look in the 48th minute, taking a crack from just inside the 18-yard box. Hartmann came up with the save, but the ball rebounded with a Whitworth defender. The ensuing crossing attempt was cleared by Pacific's
Tianna Homad (Sr., Seattle, Wash.).
Hartmann came up big again in the 70th minute as Whitworth's Berentson hooked a high ball along the endline, making the leap and catching ball right near the crossbar to keep the shutout intact.
Pacific also had a number of good scoring opportunities in the second half, but was unable to connect.
Jordan Bodily (Sr., Eagle, Idaho) nearly connected in the 64th minute off of
Sarah Tuffey's (So., Valencia, Calif.) cross from the near touchline, only to see Whitworth goalie Callie Bergsrtrom made a diving save. Bodily appeared to have scored again off of a corner kick in the 80th minute, but the Boxers were whistled for a foul inside the penalty area.
Whitworth dominated the action in the overtime period. Jill Pecka had the Pirates' best look in the 95th minute, hooking an attempt in from 20 yards that was tipped away by Hartmann. Cory Druffel had a good opportunity in 99th minute, charging hard into the central area of the 18-yard box before her shot too was stopped by Hartmann.
Hartmann finished with six saves in the contest, with Bergstrom making four stops for the Pirates. Whitworth outshot the Boxers 19-10, while Pacific held an 8-6 advantage on corner kicks.
Pacific will wrap up a three-match home stand on Sunday when they host Whitman. Kickoff is schedule for noon. Whitworth plays on Sunday at George Fox.
