JU women's soccer plays USF to 1-1 draw
Dolphins to face Francis Marion Saturday, 2 p.m.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. September 10, 2010 - An opening goal for the JU women's soccer team wasn't enough for a win as the Dolphins played USF to a 1-1 draw on Friday night at the Ashley Sports Complex.
The Dolphins (3-3-1) were led by the first collegiate goal for freshman forward Courtney Conrad. Although being outshot by the Bulls (4-1-1), 34-15, JU had a great performance turned in by junior keeper Alexa Rooney, making 13 saves, allowing a goal from a penalty kick.
"This was a great performance for us," said JU head coach Brian Copham. "Of course, we would have liked to get a goal in the extra time but it was a great team effort."
The Dolphins narrowly missed taking the opening goal of the game inside the first minute off the foot of midfilder Becca Massip. The sophomore was put in on goal by freshman Courtney Conrad and her shot from just outside the box flashed narrowly wide.
JU found another chance in the 23rd minute after strong midfield pressure forced USF to give the ball away. A push down the right side led to a cross, finding Conrad, but after a move around a defender, her shot from eight yards out was blocked.
Rooney kept the game even on a great save with five minutes left in the half after Venicia Reed broke to the goal and fired a shot right at the sophomore. Rooney was up to the challenge, punching the ball back to the top of the box.
The Dolphins were also first with a chance to score in the second half thanks to a great effort from sophomore midfielder Emily Culbreth. Culbreth's great cut from the wing left her with space to fire a shot that missed the top of the goal by inches.
All the pressure would finally pay off for JU as Conrad tallied the first goal of her collegiate career. A run through the middle of the field from redshirt-junior Liz Fink resulted in a perfectly weighted ball through the middle of the defense, finding Conrad for the easy finish into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
With six minutes left in regulation, the Bulls drew a penalty when a forward went down in the box. Chelsea Klotz stepped up to the spot and buried a ball into the top right-hand corner to level the match.
Neither side produced many opportunities in either half of extra time and the game finished 1-1.
The Dolphins will be back on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they host Francis Marion at the Ashley Sports Complex.