Box Score NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind.—The Transylvania University women's soccer team grabbed an early one-goal lead against Manchester University on Saturday, but it was not enough as they took a 2-2 draw in double overtime in their Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opening match.
The Pioneers benefited from a goal in the 15th minute by forward Maddie Sjogren to take a 1-0 advantage. Sjogren went on an impressive run that started near midfield and dodged several Spartan defenders to work her way deep inside the Manchester box. Sjogren fired the ball off her foot and beat the Spartan keeper near post on the left side to put Transylvania in the lead.
The one-goal lead would take the teams into the locker room, but not before Transy tallied 18 shots in the period. The Pioneer defense held the Spartans at bay, limiting them to just nine shots in the half.
In the second period, Manchester drew the score even with a goal at the 57:25 mark. Transylvania responded with a barrage of shots, putting pressure on the Spartan defense and goalie with 18 more shots in the period.
The Pioneers would pull ahead late in the second half with a goal by midfielder Noel Obata with less than 20 minutes left in regulation. Transylvania took a corner kick and after a failed clearance by the Manchester defense, the ball came to rest at Obata's feet as she put the ball top right over the outstretched arms of the Manchester keeper to send Transy in front.
The lead would not last long, however, as the Spartans responded with a goal just seven minutes later to again draw the game even.
Despite a barrage of shots to close the second half, the Pioneers came up empty and the game entered overtime. In the overtime periods, Transylvania dominated, holding Manchester to just two shots and maintained possession for the bulk of both overtimes. Transy had several good looks at goal and put a number of shots on target, but they were unable to net the winning goal and the game ended with the score deadlocked at two.
The Pioneers dominated the game on both sides of the ball throughout, taking 43 shots in the contest, including 14 on goal, while limiting the Spartans to just seven shots on target. Goalie Morgan Potts recorded five saves on the day, while midfielder Morgan Janes tallied 11 shots in the contest to lead Transylvania.
Transylvania (2-5-2, 0-0-1 HCAC) takes the pitch again on Tuesday in a road matchup against conference foe Franklin College.
