In its final non-conference game of the year, the Cowgirl soccer team forced a 1-1 draw with Utah State after two overtimes Sunday afternoon at Bell Field in Logan, Utah according to the Wyoming Athletics department.
The tie brought Wyoming’s record to 7-3-1 for the year as its first draw of the 2012 season. The Aggies however, played to their fourth draw to yield a 5-2-4 overall mark.
“It was a hard-fought battle between two teams that wanted a win heading into our respective conference seasons,” said Wyoming coach Pete Cuadrado. “Both sides were playing physical, so I’m glad we didn’t give in and we stuck our ground to come away with a tie.”
UW junior Lucie McDowell struck first in the game as she headed the ball into the net from six yards out following assists from Liz O’Reilly and Sara Paul. The goal was her fifth of the year as she came into the game tied for fourth in the Mountain West with four.
Utah State’s Natalie Norris equaled the score at 1-1 for the Aggies in the second half when she earned a goal. Both squads vied for scoring opportunities in the remainder of regulation and two overtime periods, but the final 1-1 tally prevailed.
Reports from Wyoming Athletics state that the Aggies outshot the Cowgirls by a 26-10 ratio, although Wyoming had six of its shots on goal (.600) to USU’s 10 (.385).
Paul contributed four shot attempts for the Cowgirls, while McDowell added three. USU’s Kendra Pemberton and Lexie Morgan each had four shot attempts with two on goal.
Courtney Merkle played the entire game at goalie for the Cowgirls and earned nine saves for the day, while USU’s Ashlyn Mulford had five saves in a complete game.
Wyoming will begin the 2012 MW slate at UNLV Saturday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m.
