Box Score
MADISON, Wis. – In a highly spirited game from start to finish, the Eagles and Falcons played to a stalemate. The 1-1 tie in the frigid conditions on Senior Day at Breese Stevens Field concluded a regular season that saw both teams play well enough to play on into the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament which begins on Sunday.
Although both squads had already locked up a spot in the conference tournament, there was still one top seed that awarded a first-round bye available for the taking. A win or tie for the Eagles meant they would be awarded one of the two coveted spots and they did just that to earn the No. 2 seed.
Edgewood College (15-3-1, 10-1-1 NAC) was forced to come from behind after Concordia University Wisconsin (11-5-1, 9-2-1 NAC) connected on its first shot of the game. After an intense scramble inside the 6-yard box, it was Kayla Racklyeft who was able to clean up the loose ball and deposit it into the back of the net.
It was the first goal scored against the Eagles in 561:05 minutes of soccer. Not since a 2-1 loss back on October 7 had an opponent gotten one past an Eagle keeper.
Racklyeft's goal was the first shot taken by the Falcons and it was her sixth of the season. A response was eminent as Edgewood College ensued with several chances, but nothing to show for it until a free kick at the top-right corner of the 18-yard box. Tammi Hagensick, the hero who hit the game-winning 30-yard blast against Aurora last Saturday turned into just that again Wednesday night with a 31st minute equalizer.
The junior bent a magnificent ball just inside the far left post and into the side netting. It was placed so brilliantly that the Falcon goalkeeper, Mary Ryan, hadn't a chance to make a play. That would be the final goal seen by the 150 fans on hand, but there should have been one more.
In the 3rd minute of the second overtime period a foul was called on CUW inside its own penalty area awarding the Eagles a penalty kick. With a No. 1 seed and home-field advantage on the line, Elyse Clouthier took the kick and Ryan guess correctly as she made the save diving to her right to prolong the game and eventually earn the tie for her team.
Elaine Gerry, still the nation's leading scorer, got off 11 shots on the night including three on goal and three more that just scooted by the post and wide.
Edgewood College had been 11-0 at home during the regular season all-time vs. the Falcons until Wednesday night's draw. It was the ninth of the sort to be decided by one goal or fewer and the third that needed at least one overtime.
The Eagles won the shots battle 19-5 and had seven corner kicks to the Falcons' three. Ilana Bar-av made four saves compared to six for her counterpart. Edgewood College will now rest until next Wednesday's second round matchup which will be against Dominican, Marian or MSOE at Breese Stevens Field.
