Box Score GREENSBURG, Pa. — The Franciscan University women's soccer team tied 1-1 against University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg after playing two sudden death overtime periods. This is the fourth game the Lady Barons have taken to overtime and the second time they have played to double overtime this season.
"We had an outstanding all-around performance from the team today and were very happy to keep it tied and not let any more goals through," Lady Baron head coach Johann Marin said. "It was a good team effort, however, we would like to avoid these late starts in the future."
In the first half of the game the Lady Barons could not quite get their momentum flowing and allowed Greensburg to take an early lead. During halftime, Marin attempted to pump his team up with a stern pep talk, hoping the Lady Barons would start the second half rejuvenated.
Assistant coach Clare Smith said it was as if it was a whole new team playing in the second half of the game compared to the first.
The only Franciscan goal of the night came off the left foot of sophomore stand out and Wintersville, Ohio native Ashley Ruttencutter. A little over five minutes into the second half, Ruttencutter cut through Greensburg's defense and from her sweet spot outside the eighteen she crossed the ball into the goal.
"We were not going to let this team get away from us because we were matching them player for player," Marin said. "We decided we needed to step up and take advantage of the opportunity we were given to come back."
The Lady Barons were not without opportunities to score. Throughout the game they managed to take 21 shots, 11 shots on goal and one successful goal for a total of 33 shots taken.
"Because we have been plagued by so many injuries the girls are staring to get used to having to adjust and play different formations," Smith said.
Due to the team's starting goalie, Lauren Koath, being out with an injury second string goalkeeper Mallory Garthwaite stepped in. Garthwaite, who has been playing defense for the past few games, stepped up to take charge in the goal during this game to have five saves and only allow one ball to past her.
"Mallory [Garthwaite] had a phenomenal game to be thrown back into the goal after not practicing that position for awhile," Smith said.
The women of the Lady Baron team push hard every single game and have struggled to benefit from substitutions. Today only one substitution was made which was a rare occurrence for this team.
"These girls are working hard and pushing through every game," Marin said. "And the girls who are injured are continuing to fight to get back and very eager to play again. These girls have an amazing spirit and foster a love for one another that propels them forward."
The Lady Barons are now 2-6-2 on the season and 0-1-1 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The team continues its season when it takes on Washington and Jefferson College on Sept. 27 at 5 p.m in a non-conference match up.
