LATE COMBACK EXTENDS WOMEN’S SOCCER’S UNBEATEN STREAK TO FOUR

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Coming out of the gates slowly on Saturday afternoon at home, Avila women's soccer used two late goals to secure a 2-2 draw with York and extend the program's unbeaten streak to four.

The Panthers went up by two midway through the first half with back-to-back goals, coming in the 21^st and 23^rd minutes. Avila would return the favor nearly an hour later.

Playing without much energy for the first 75 minutes of the match, the Eagles were staring defeat in the eye.

With just over eight minutes remaining, Annika Holtorf attempted to play a ball to a teammate in the box before York cleared it over their own goalpost, setting up an Avila corner with a chance to shift momentum.

Holtorf stepped up to the corner and delivered a beautiful ball to Kenzie Baxley, who headed it past the Panther goalkeeper. Avila still trailed 2-1, but were showing signs of life and had momentum.

Just over five minutes later, the Eagles were back at it.

Taking the ball away from York, Isabel Javier and Samantha Lasater's strong defense gave Avila control back in the attacking third.

Off a deflection from Lasater, Javier would rocket a ball to the top corner of the net, sending the Avila bench into a frenzy and knotting the game up at 2-2.

Avila would play strong defense for the remaining two-plus minutes to hold on to the well-earned tie and pick up a point in the process. 

Today's goals marked Baxley's first of the season and Javier's second, while Holtorf and Lasater each picked up their fourth assists, leading the Eagles.

Avila returns to the pitch on Wednesday at The Z, hosting Ottawa at 1 PM.

(photo credit: Issy Aguilar)