Avila Fights Back to Tie Tabor

HILLSBORO, Kan. – Just minutes after surrendering a goal to go down 2-0, the Avila (3-7-5, 3-4-2 KCAC) offense awoke, firing back with two quick goals in just over two minutes to rally and earn a critical 2-2 road draw against Tabor (5-7-2, 3-3-2 KCAC) on Saturday afternoon.

For two teams that entered action virtually even in the conference standings, Saturday's match was an important one and was contested about as closely as one would expect. Tabor broke through first just south of 17 minutes in on a goal from Jami Dooley, but that was where the scoreline stayed for the next 45 minutes.

Both goaltenders were called into action often in the first half, with Eagle netminder Kenan Ebel making six saves in the first 45 minutes and Tabor's Ashly Johnson making five. Interestingly enough, however, despite those solid first half totals neither goalkeeper was credited with a save in the second half as the offenses started to break through.

Tabor doubled its lead in the 61^st minute through veteran Sydney Takash, putting the Eagles behind 2-0. But the Eagles have been a second half rally team all season long, and they flashed some of that ability yet again on Saturday afternoon. Less than a minute after Takash doubled the Bluejays' advantage Avila halved it right back again courtesy of a goal from Morgan Pettlon. And just over two minutes after that the Eagles were right back at it, building up a counterattack after taking over possession on the left flank. Pettlon ultimately sliced through a nice pass that Kirryn Killingsworth hustled onto, sneaking past Johnson for the easy finish.

Less than three minutes after going down 2-0, the Eagles had brought the game back level. But neither team was able to break the deadlock. Avila won a couple of corners and each team had a shot in the final few minutes but neither side put anything on target, and the game finished square at two apiece.

Up next, Avila women's soccer returns home to The Z for another potentially important game against local rival Saint Mary on Wednesday, October 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM with the men's match to follow; as always, you can watch all the action live on the Avila Sports Network.