ANOTHER LATE COMEBACK EARNS WOMEN’S SOCCER A DRAW WITH OTTAWA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a nearly identical script as their last game, Avila women's soccer used two late goals on Wednesday afternoon to force a 2-2 draw with Ottawa at The Z.

All told, four goals were scored between the two teams in the final 18 minutes of play on another warm day in Kansas City that necessitated two water breaks between the KCAC rivals.

The two teams only managed a combined six shots in the first half as the Eagles and Braves entered halftime scoreless.

With time winding down, off a free kick in the 74^th minute, Ottawa's Samantha Pruett picked up the first goal of the game and the Braves added another 10 minutes later off a bullet free kick from 30 yards out in the 83^rd minute.

With under seven minutes to play, Avila was staring down a two-goal deficit and a defeat.

As was the case on Saturday, the Eagles used a pair of late goals to shift momentum.

Just over 60 seconds after Ottawa went up by two, Kita Wood's right foot poked a ball that had been pinballing around the box into the back of the net to get Avila on the board and momentum shifted their way.

In the 84^th minute, Avila trailed 2-1.

Two minutes later, Kita Wood's twin sister Nikki helped Avila tie the game up.

Off a throw in, Nikki Wood crossed a beautiful ball to Lydia Mannino, who found the back of the net to tie the game at two.

Staring defeat in the eye with under 10 minutes to play, Avila used an identical script in back-to-back games to earn a tie.

The Eagles nearly came out on top with under 30 seconds to play. An Avila goal was disallowed after a yellow card was issued to Kenzie Baxley moments before the ball went in the back of the net. 

The draw today earned Avila its fifth-straight unbeaten game. The Eagles will look to get in the win column on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Sterling for a 1 PM kickoff.

(photo credit: Victoria White)