Box Score Corpus Christi – 110 minutes and an Yvette Franco brace were not enough to separate the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team and UT-Rio Grande Valley on Sunday at the Dugan Soccer Stadium. After the Islanders took the lead in the second half, the Vaqueros scored a late goal to even the match, before two scoreless overtime periods ended the match in a 2-2 tie.
"We have a lot of positives to take away from this game," said head coach Shanna Caldwell. "Yvette Franco scored two great goals for us, and we battled for the entire game. We need to learn how to play with a lead in the second half though. Giving up a late goal was difficult, but our players fought throughout overtime, especially when we went down to 10 men. It was a result for us today. We got a point out of the match, so we can build upon this performance."
"Next week, we will have a battle on our hands when we face Houston," she added. "It has always been a tough match against them, and we have had a good rivalry with them in the few years of our program. It will take a full 90 minutes to get result against the Cougars."
The Vaqueros took the lead early in the 5th minute, as the visitors converted on a turnover by the Islanders at midfield. Andreya Barrera set up a breakaway for Malia Irvine on the right side of the box. The Vaquero freshman finished to the back post from eight yards away.
A&M-Corpus Christi controlled the play for the remainder of the first half. Shots by Nanna Poulsen, Tatum Printy and Jordan Harden threatened the Vaquero goal, but could not find the back of the net. The teams went to the halftime break with the visitors holding a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes into the second half, Franco scored her first goal of the season on a pass from Poulsen. The Danish international found space on the right wing, where she sent a low curling ball into the box. Franco beat her defender to the top of the six-yard box to finish with a volley past Vaquero goalkeeper Erica Gonzalez.
The Islanders took their first lead of the season in the 70th minute when Franco picked up her second goal of the day. The play started when Hannah Joseph made a hard challenge on a Vaquero midfielder and came away with the ball. The Flower Mound, Texas, native then played Franco in on goal from outside the box. Showing calmness under pressure, the junior cut back when a UTRGV defender made a challenge, in order to have a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, where she finished on the ground from six yards away.
UTRGV responded to tie the game three minutes from time. Meghan Oram hit a volley into the far netting, after finding herself free in front of the net when a bouncing ball ricocheted off an Islander defender. The score would remain tied at 2-2 when the horn signaled the end of regulation.
In the overtime periods, neither team managed a shot on goal, as play remained in the midfield area. Both defenses thwarted opposing attacks, and the Vaqueros tallied the only two shots in the extra time.
Kallyn Redona picked up red card in the 105th minute, which is the only card for the Islanders this season. A&M-Corpus Christi continued to control the midfield and halt any Vaquero attacks in the final five minutes of play. Gonzalez denied a Hailey Sutton breakaway with 30 seconds remaining to ensure a draw between the two programs.
Megan Delaney had another strong performance for the Islanders, recording one save, while being a commanding presence in the 18-yard box. Poulsen finished the match with five shots, two on goal, to add to her assist. A&M-Corpus Christi recorded a season-high 20 shots in the game.
The Islanders will hit the road for a single match next weekend. On Sunday, A&M-Corpus Christi will visit Houston at 1 P.M. The Cougars are 1-4 after a 3-0 loss at North Texas today. Houston will play McNeese State on Friday before the match with the Islanders on Sunday.
For more information on Islanders women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter (@IslandersSoccer) and like their Facebook page (Islanders Soccer). Download the official Islanders Front Row App to stay up to date on all the latest Islanders Athletics news.
