CALIFORNIA (Oct. 26) – Freshman
Juliana Cruz (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township) accounted for five points on two goals and one assist on Saturday afternoon, as the California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team played to a 3-3 double-overtime draw against Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility on Alumni Day.
With the tie, the Vulcans move to 3-9-1 overall behind a 2-9-1 record in conference action. Cal U snapped a five-game losing streak against Gannon, as each team secured a point in the divisional standings. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights stand at 6-6-2 this season with a 5-6-2 mark in league play.
The Vulcans tallied the initial shot of the match on an attempt from freshman
Lindsie Galbreath (Saxonburg, Pa./Knoch) in the fourth minute, which was saved by the Gannon goalkeeper. The Lady Knights responded with three shots and a corner kick in the span of two minutes, as sophomore goalkeeper
Carly Gobbie (Glassport, Pa./South Allegheny) collected an early save. Cal U answered with a goal from freshman
Abbey McComb (Sharon, Pa./Sharon), her second of the season, into the bottom left corner of the net at the 14:13-mark, 1-0. Cruz posted an assist on the goal after crossing the ball through the box. Both teams saw limited chances for the remainder of the first half, as the Vulcans took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Gannon tied the contest at 1-1 after Megan McCartney converted a penalty kick, her fourth goal of the season, in the 61st minute. Just over two minutes later, Cal U reclaimed the lead on a goal from Cruz into the bottom left corner of the net at the 62:41-mark on an assist from junior
Sarah Refosco (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette). The Lady Knights tied the contest at 2-2 in the 65th minute on a free kick into the top right corner from McCartney, her second of the game. The Vulcans then took a 3-2 advantage at the 68:22-mark on a goal from Cruz, her team-leading third of the season, after scoring on a penalty kick. Cruz became the first player with multiple goals in a game since the 2015 season. In the closing minute of the match, Gannon found the back of the net with 31 seconds remaining in the regulation on a goal from Maddie North to tie the game at 3-3 and force the match into overtime.
Cal U saw an attempted saved in the 93rd minute, while the Lady Knights totaled two shots and two corner kicks in the first overtime period. The Vulcans would tally the only shot in the second overtime, but it was ultimately saved by the Gannon goalie, as the contest concluded in a 3-3 draw.
Gobbie finished the match with six saves on 16 shots faced in 110 minutes of action.
The Lady Knights out-shot the Vulcans by a 16-9 margin, including a 9-8 edge in shots on goal, while also posting an 8-1 advantage on corner kicks.
The Vulcans continue PSAC West play on Wednesday, Oct. 30, when they host Slippery Rock at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility with play set for 7 p.m.
