Boxers Battle Bearcats To End In Fourth Draw Of Season
SALEM, Ore. –
Kayla Davidson (Jr., Kailua, Hawaii) collected seven saves, while
Sarah Tuffey (Sr., Valencia, Calif.) scored on a penalty kick to lead the Pacific women's soccer team to their fourth draw of the season in a 2-2 double-overtime match with Willamette on Saturday afternoon at Sparks Field.
After a scoreless first half the match turned into excitement for the Boxers after a foul on Willamette's Ariel Wilson in the 57
th minute, Tuffey took the penalty kick for the Boxers past Willamette goalkeeper Nicole Price to the back of the net. The goal marked Tuffey's fourth of the season.
The Boxers would tie the match up, less than three minutes later, when
Caitlin Castillo (Fr., Eugene, Ore.) made a diving header from two yards out towards the right post, off a
Kaitlyn Harper (Sr., Oregon City, Ore.) cross to tie the match up at 2-2.
“Sarah's composed penalty and Caitlin's diving header were icing on the cake for our comeback,” said Associate Head Coach Dane Joseph. “Castillo and Harper were outstanding today during this battle. It's not just the fight in them that helped make the difference; they were both simply clinical and astute.”
The Bearcats opened the scoring in the in the 51
st minute when Alyssa Perreault took the Willamette corner kick to the middle of the right side of the goal. Just a little over four minutes later, Sarah Desautels scored the second Willamette goal off a free kick; a line drive from 38 yards, to the upper net past Davidson.
“It was an exciting game that favored us in the end as we were away from home, were absolutely depleted of numbers through injury, and were down two goals,” said Joseph. “But we fought hard and true to get an invaluable point on the road. We could not be happier with each one of these young women.”
The Boxers had two significant scoring opportunities early in the game.
Kamryn Plechot (So., La Palma, Calif.) almost scored off a strong header in the 35
th minute.
Emily Tuffey (So., Valencia, Calif.) had a good drive, but her shot struck the post.
“This is just definitive of our 'team' mentality, where anyone can step up and provide for us,” said Joseph.
The Tuffey sisters led the Boxers with 10 shots combined. Davidson (2-1-1) collected the draw in the net. Price also collected the draw, tallying seven saves.
The Boxers (8-7-4) will play their final match of the 2012 campaign tomorrow, where they will travel to Tacoma to take on the Puget Sound Loggers.
