Box Score Corpus Christi, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team picked up a point in their opening match of Southland Conference play at Abilene Christian with a 1-1 draw.
Brooke Erdmann notched her first goal of the season with a header in the final minute of the first half, but the Wildcats equalized with three minutes remaining in regulation. The result was the first time that the Islanders opened conference play with points in the program's three-year history.
"I'm so happy for the team tonight," said head coach Shanna Caldwell following the match. "Even though we didn't get the three points, we battled for the entire 110 minutes. We came out strong and attacked the game. DJ was solid in net for us again tonight. Every single player had an impact on this game, and that is what we want as we begin conference."
Megan Delaney came up huge for the Islanders early in the first half with a penalty-kick save to keep the game level. In the 28th minute, Jessica Berdan, starting at defensive midfielder, fired a shot from the top of the box that left the Wildcat keeper rooted to her spot, only for the ball to deflect off the post.
Erdmann broke the deadlock in the dying moments off the first half. Hannah Joseph worked her way into the box, before finding a teammate with a pass to maintain possession. Jessica Berdan collected the ball near the touchline on the right side of the box. The senior picked out Erdmann on the backside, who floated a header just inside of the back post.
"The goal was one of the best we've scored," added Caldwell. "The whole build up was great. It was an excellent ball into the box from Berdan and a heck of a finish by Brooke. "
Before the half would close, the Islanders backline was left scrambling when ACU played a ball into the box. Wildcat forward Megan Baer hit a volley off the crossbar that bounced just in front of the line. Delaney covered the rebound as the final seconds elapsed to finish the first half with the Islanders leading 1-0.
The Islanders received the brunt of the attack in the second half. Defensive stops from the centerback pair of Meghan Cordero and Mariah Olivé limited the Wildcats to one shot on goal for the half.
Kallyn Redona and Hannah Joseph transitioned the defensive stops into offensive attacks. Zoe Cole had a shot on goal in the 72nd minute, and Erdmann had a shot sail wide of the post five minutes from time.
With three minutes remaining in regulation, Abilene Christian equalized on a loose ball in the box. Lindsey Jones connected on a bouncing ball in the six-yard box following a Natalie Throneberry cross.
Overtime produced more emotion than opportunities on net. Leslie Snider received her marching orders with her second yellow of the match in the 100th minute, before Olivé picked up a yellow with 23 seconds remaining. The referee issued seven cards in the game.
Hailey Sutton produced the only threatening opportunity for either team in the bonus periods. The junior let loose a shot from 40 yards that nearly caught Wildcat goalkeeper Sydney Newton off her line, but the Abilene Christian keeper scrambled back to tip the ball wide.
She's Going the Distance
Sutton, Olivé and freshman Jordan Harden were the three field players for the Islanders to play the entire match from the beginning to the final whistle. Since joining the starting lineup against Southern Utah (Aug. 23), Harden averages 93.33 minutes a match, while playing fullback and forward.
A Brick Wall
Delaney's 10 saves against the Wildcats is the third time this season and fifth time in her career that the Las Vegas native has reached double digits for saves in a single match.
This season, Delaney ranks second in the Southland Conference with 53 saves and 7.57 saves per game. The statistics also fail to show the number of crosses the Islanders keeper has caught or punched to stop opponents' attacks.
What's Next
The Islanders will play next Friday, when A&M-Corpus Christi visits Stephen F. Austin for a 7 p.m. kickoff, before playing at Nicholls on Sunday at 1 p.m.
