MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team battled to a 1-1 tie against the No. 18-ranked Central Missouri Jennies Sunday at the Bearcat Pitch.
Northwest used a first-half goal from
Julia Coacher, her third of the season, to take a 1-0 lead. However, a second-half goal from UCM's Mikayla Ernst allowed the Jennies to escape with a 1-1 tie.
Northwest recorded six of its seven saves in the second half and withstood four Central Mo. attacking actions without conceding from 82:30 to 89:17.
Julia Coacher put Northwest in front in the 11th minute, scoring off an
Addy Armstrong assist to make it 1-0. Before the goal, Central Mo. created an early corner and sent a shot wide, and
Leyah Scott preserved the lead moments after the score with a save at 10:50. The half then tightened into a foul-heavy stretch, including five combined fouls from 21:55 to 30:17 while Northwest maintained its one-goal advantage. Northwest reached halftime ahead 1-0.
Northwest opened the second half with early pressure while ahead 1-0, getting an Armstrong shot and three corner kicks before
Ximena Arnau missed left in the 54th minute. Central Mo. answered with an extended push, but Scott made three saves between 50:53 and 59:14, and another shot hit the woodwork before Mikayla Ernst tied the match at 1-1 in the 62nd minute. Northwest responded with chances of its own, including saved shots by Arnau,
Lilly Gibler,
Jenna Lloyd,
Mallory Arehart and Coacher, plus a late corner kick in the 80th minute. Scott added two more saves after the 82nd minute, and Northwest also survived a late shot off the woodwork as the half ended with the match tied 1-1.
Coacher scored Northwest's goal and put both of her shots on goal. Armstrong recorded an assist and added one shot. Scott played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with seven saves while allowing one goal.
Northwest is 1-7-3 overall and 1-3-2 in MIAA play. Central Missouri is 9-1-1 and 4-0-1 in league matches.
Up next, the Northwest soccer team visits Nebraska-Kearney Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. in Kearney, Neb.
