Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford scored three times in their first road match of the season, but a Bard goal in the final 90 seconds led to a 3-3 draw.
The Panthers got off the mark first, as they utilized a free kick to find some space behind the defense. After Mya King drew a foul at midfield, Makartnee Mortimer sent a long pass that was controlled near the edge of the 18 by Gianna Gomez. Gomez laid a pass off to Lauren Donnelly, who touched a pass behind the defense where Emily Gibbons collected it and slid a shot into the right corner. The goal was the first of the freshman's career and the first for the Panthers this season.
The lead did not last long, as seconds after the restart the Raptors found space in the box, and sent a one-time shot into the back of the net. They went ahead nearly two minutes later when the Panthers could not clear a corner kick that was headed into an open goal. The hosts continued to attack, trying to add to their lead, but were kept out of the net as MAddison Coe made one save and two shots bounced off the woodwork.
As the second half began, the Panthers kept the hosts off the board, using two more saves by Coe, before they tied the game in the 67th minute. Gomez started the rush with an interception at midfield and quickly tried to hit Gibbons streaking down the middle of the park. her pass skipped past a Bard defender, and Gibbons played a pass to Mya King on her left. King collected the pass, dribbled around two defenders, and fired a shot past the goalkeeper at the near post. The goal is the first of King's career and the season.
Three minutes later, the Panthers retook the lead. After Donelly and Gomez combined to switch the field, Gibbons tried to find King with a through ball. King attempted to dribble the ball in the box but lost possession to the Raptor defense. She kept after the ball and was able to tip it away from a Bard defender to Gibbons. Gibbons hit a one-time left-footed shot from 25 yards that skipped underneath the goalkeeper and trickled into the net for her second of the game.
For the last 20 minutes of play, the Panthers held on defensively, as they faced constant attacks from the Raptor attack. Coe made four more stops but with just under two to go, could not reach a cross which found the head of a Bard attacker and flew into the open goal.
In the final seconds, the Panthers made a push for the game-winner. They had two attempts at corner kicks however Avery Yard's first header was blocked, and no one could get to the second corner. Kimberly Goodwin was able to collect the ball at the top of the box and drew a foul, setting up a dangerous free kick. King stepped up and looped a shot over the wall, but it could not dip under the crossbar, and went out of play for a goal kick, effectively ending the game.
Emily Gibbons led the Panthers with 2 goals on 3 shots on goal. Mya King scored once and added an assist. Lauren Donnelly also had an assist for the Panthers. Maddison Coe made 8 saves in the contest.
The Panthers are now 0-1-1 on the season. They will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to SUNY Cobleskill to take on the Fighting Tigers. Kickoff s set for 2L00 p.m.
