Box Score
Las Vegas, N.M. – The NMHU Women's Soccer team fought to a 1-1 draw against the Rambelles of Angelo State University, on Sept. 5, in their 2013 season opener at Perkins Stadium. The Rambelles scored their goal in the third minute of the game. Angelo State held the momentum for much of the game, but the Cowgirls were able to score the equalizing goal in the 77th minute. Regulation time ended with the score tied 1-1, so the teams battled into overtime. After playing two overtime periods the score remained deadlocked at one goal apiece and both teams left the field with a draw in their first contest of the season.
NMHU 1 – Angelo State 1
Although the Cowgirls threatened to score first in the first minute of the game, it was the Rambelles who would get on the scoreboard to establish a 1-0 lead. In the third minute, Angelo State's Kathleen Keoughan lobbed a searching ball from 30 yards out and caught the Cowgirls' goal keeper flat footed. The ball sailed high into the upper left corner of the net, energizing the Rambelles early in the game and swinging the momentum in their favor.
In the 10th minute, the Cowgirls'
Andrea Duke came inches from equalizing with what looked to be a guaranteed goal from inside the six-yard box. Duke looked surprised to see an open net in front of her and shanked the shot to the right of the goal post. The Rambelles' close call generated more momentum for them and they went on to dominate possession in the first half of play. At the end of the first half, Angelo State took a 1-0 lead and was looking to be the stronger team.
When the teams kicked off the second half of play, Angelo State picked up where they had left off and controlled possession of the ball in the Cowgirls' half of the field. Despite being on their back foot, the Cowgirls managed to prevent another score by the Rambelles.
After 70 minutes of play, the Cowgirls finally picked up the pace and began to push the ball into the Rambelles' half of the field. The equalizer for the Cowgirls came in the 77th minute. Cowgirl defender
Lisa Clausen took an indirect free kick from 40 yards out on the right wing. Clausen launched the ball into the 20-yard box and found Cowgirl forward
Brooke D'Onofrio who was in the middle of a scramble for the ball. D'Onofrio managed to get her head on the ball inside the six-yard box right at the goal line and put the ball into the back of the net. D'Onofrio's first goal of the season tied the game up and the Cowgirls were playing with a new found energy.
The Cowgirls outshot Angelo State, 3-1, in the final 13 minutes of regulation time and came ever so close to grabbing the winning goal, but two saves by the Rambelles' keeper kept the game deadlocked.
Crystal Schuder almost ended the game in the 87th minute from the left-side of the six-yard box but her shot slipped to the right of the goal post.
After 90 minutes of regulation time, the teams were headed to overtime with the score tied at 1-1. In the first overtime each team managed one shot apiece, but saves by both keepers ensured that a second overtime would be required.
The second overtime was hotly contested by both sides. Cowgirl
Crystal Schuder threatened first in the 101st minute from distance but the ball was easily handled by the Angelo State keeper. The teams continued to battle it out in midfield and the Rambelles would get the next attempt on goal. Angelo State's Cynthia Andrews fired a shot from long range that Cowgirl
Nikita Rivera was able to stop in the 106th minute. The Rambelles had one more chance to score in the 108th minute off a corner kick but Angelo State's Haley Mendel sent the ball soaring well past the penalty box and the Cowgirls cleared the danger.
When the final horn sounded to end the game, the teams remained tied up at 1-1 and started their respective seasons with a draw.
Brooke D'Onofrio led the Cowgirls on offense, scoring her first goal of the season in the 77th minute.
Lisa Clausen picked up her first assist of the season also in the 77th minute.
Nikita Rivera (0-0-1) came on for the Cowgirls in the second half and totaled 65 minutes in goal, stopping five shots and earning the draw.
Corey Ventura-Hubbert drew a yellow card in the 71st minute with a mistimed tackle.
The Cowgirls (0-0-1) will continue non-conference home action, on Sept. 7, against Central Washington University at Perkins Stadium. The Wildcats (0-1-0) lost their first game of the season on the road at Adams State University by the final score of 2-0. Saturday's game will kick-off at 7:00 p.m. in Las Vegas, N.M. Come on out to Perkins Stadium and support your Cowgirls as the look for their first win of the 2013 season.
GO COWGIRLS!!!
