By Dustin Semore
FHU Sports Information Director
The Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions traveled north after a three-match home winning streak to face the hosting Eagles of Midway (Ky.) University. With the Lady Lions and Eagles trading goals, the final whistle sounded with the teams even at 2-2. This marks the first time that FHU has seen a game end in a draw since the governing bodies determined that there would only be overtime periods in postseason matches. Previously, matches were only drawn if the scores remained level following two 10-minute overtimes.
Freed-Hardeman (4-1-1) fell behind early when at 7:33 the Eagles sent an outlet pass toward the left side of the pitch which was then angled back towards the middle for a centering shot. The initial shot was kept out by a fabulous diving save by Brooke Latham, but the Eagles were right there to send the second-chance shot over the arm of Latham into the net.
The Lionesses recomposed to play a defensive game over the next 20 minutes until Jessica Musselman stole away the Midway (2-1-1) goal kick at 29:14, then finding Pia Grosse standing just outside of the arc. The German freshman then used her left boot to send a wickedly curling shot to the left post, where it hit the iron but took an FHU bounce into the net to even the match at 1-1.
A fast offensive start by the Eagles had the hosts back on top a little over one minute into the second half. Midway saw a free kick placed perfectly into the penalty area, where a Midway Eagle was there to take the loose ball and find an opening to the back of the net to jump back on top 2-1 at the 46:20 mark.
While the Lady Lions were content to play defensively in the first half, the girls in maroon saw their offensive output double in the second half, jumping from six first-half shots to 11 in the back 45:00. While those shots did not find their target, the pressure proved too much for the home team, who committed a foul inside the six-yard box to award Grosse a penalty kick. Without hesitation, Grosse fired the ball toward the bottom-right side of the net, which was where the Midway keeper was diving, but the shot was placed well enough that the ball crossed the goal line to draw even 2-2 at 71:50.
Latham was the keeper on record for FHU, keeping out six of Midway’s on-target shots.
