TicketsSept. 25, 2011
STORRS, Conn. - Despite building a two-goal lead in the second half, the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team played University of Connecticut to a 2-2, double-overtime draw Sunday at Morrone Stadium.
Senior forward Emily Hebbeler's (Park Hills, Ky./Notre Dame Academy) corner kick in the 56th minute set up Cincinnati's second goal of the match. Hebbeler took the kick from the left corner and sent it to the center of the box. The ball was deflected toward midfield, but sophomore defender Kate Schmidt (Sylvana, Ohio/Northview) was at the top of the box to strike a shot into the center of the goal, increasing UC's lead to 2-0.
Cincinnati's (5-4-3, 1-2-1 BIG EAST) defense held UConn scoreless through the first 77 minutes until Huskies senior forward Jessica Shufelt moved the ball down the right baseline and found junior midfielder Linda Ruutu, who shot the ball with her left foot to the left corner of the net, cutting UC's lead to 2-1.
The Huskies would then tie the match with just 4 minutes, 2 seconds remaining in the second half. UConn redshirt junior forward Jessica Schulmann hit a shot into the left corner of the net with her left foot from the far ride side of the box, tying the score at 2-2.
UC and Connecticut played the remaining 24:02 of regulation and double-overtime without either team scoring the game-winner.
Cincinnati was out-shot by UConn 21-6, and took five fiver corner kicks compared to the Huskies' seven.
UC freshman goalkeeper Kristina Utley (Castro Valley, Calif./Castro Valley) played one of her better matches of the season after recording eight saves.
The Bearcats were opportunistic with their offense in the first half when they scored despite attempting just one shot. In the 31st minute, freshman forward Mackenzie Grause (Ft. Thomas, Ky./Highlands) gave UC an early 1-0 advantage when she streaked down the right side of the box and took a pass from sophomore forward Katie Buczek (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) and shot the ball in the left side of the net past charging UConn starting goalkeeper, Jessica Dulski.
Cincinnati returns home to play University of South Florida at 7 p.m. Friday at Gettler Stadium, followed by a 1 p.m. Sunday matchup against Marquette University.