WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Catholic University women's soccer team battled Elizabethtown to a 2-2 draw in a Landmark Conference affair on Tuesday night.
The Cardinals edged ahead but could not retain the advantage as two late goals from the Blue Jays salvaged a point for the visiting side.
Casey Sommers' side got out to the perfect start as winger Ava Gregorio found the net just three minutes into the contest.
The sophomore received the ball on the right flank from teammate Peyton Coron and took on a right-footed strike from about 25 yards. While the shot was on target, it was central and should have been handled comfortably by Rena Rankin, but the goalkeeper was unable to field it clearly and fumbled it over the line.
It was all Catholic in early going. The Cardinals put a staggering seven shots on target in the opening 11 minutes of play and before they were able to double their lead in the 13th minute.
Coron was involved again as the sophomore pranced into the area from the left flank, drawing contact from a Blue Jay defender as she raced to the byline. Then, up stepped defending Landmark Conference Offensive Athlete of the Week Jordan Siok to bury the spot kick and double Catholic's lead.
At that time it looked very comfortable for the Cardinals and appeared that they would be on their way to a third conference victory of the season. Catholic outshot Elizabethtown 13-3 in the opening 45 minutes and put 11 of those efforts on target.
The Blue Jays came out of the halftime interval looking like a different side and pushed hard to get back into the game. But It still looked like Catholic would hold on to the victory until Elizabethtown halved the deficit in the 84th minute.Â
A long free kick found its way to a streaking Maddie McWhinney who made no mistake, slotting past an onrushing Ava Rieger to pull the Blue Jays within one.
Then, in the 87th minute, Elizabethtown poured forward on a counter attack, crossing the ball into the area from the right channel. A clever touch in the middle set up a point-blank chance for Bailey Groff who finished coolly to complete the comeback.
Catholic had one final opportunity late on when Siok drew a foul in the attacking third. The clock was stopped with six seconds remaining but Sam Cesario's effort from the deadball about 30 yards from goal was easily saved by Rankin to secure the point for the Blue Jays.
With the draw, the Cardinals move to 2-1-2 in Landmark Conference play. Catholic will now prepare for a visit from new conference opponent Lycoming on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff on Cardinal Weekend and women's soccer's Alumni Day is set for 3:30 p.m.Â
