BISMARCK, N.D. – For the third straight season, University of Sioux Falls Soccer and University of Mary went to overtime and Sunday's afternoon match finished in a 1-1 draw. The Cougars earn a road point to snap their three-game losing streak and improve to 3-4-2 overall with a 2-2-2 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Lauren LaFavre was the driving force for USF's offense throughout the game and especially in the first half. After her first shot just missed wide of the post, her second effort was saved by the UM goalkeeper. Rewarded for her pace and efforts, LaFavre was the recipient of a long pass from
Alexandria Scott and with a hard shot by her right foot, she beat the keeper for her fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute of the game.
Despite the edge in total shots (28-6) and shots on goal (13-5) favoring U-Mary, the Cougars maintained a grip on the game before the closing minutes of regulation.
Morgan Perkins had turned away 10 U-Mary shots on goal before a corner kick in the final minutes of the game. The Marauders sent in a hard, low pass and UM's Megan Lowery redirected it into the back of the net from just six yards out, giving Perkins no chance to stop it.
Going against the wind in the first overtime period, Sioux Falls avoided trouble as Perkins saved the one shot U-Mary put on goal. Closing the game with the wind at their backs, USF and LaFavre had their share of scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of action.
In the 105th minute of the game, LaFavre again beat the UM back line with help of a long pass from her midfield teammates. At full speed, the UM keeper closed out on her and tipped LaFavre's shot and kept it wide of the net. The Cougars had two corner kicks in the final three minutes of the game, but
Lindsey Power couldn't connect with a teammate.
Perkins finished the afternoon with 12 saves, allowing just one goal in 110 minutes of work.
Claire Radatz, who found Scott before she set up LaFavre on the Cougars' goal, had one shot on goal and
Becca Schmitz put one shot on frame as well.
The Cougars return home to face Winona State on Friday, Oct. 6 with kickoff set for 5 p.m. at the USF Sports Complex.