University of Charleston battles Senators to 2-2 draw
Charleston, WV – The Golden Eagles returned home on Wednesday, hosting rival Davis & Elkins in a tightly contested matchup at the Welch Athletic Complex. After 90 minutes of back-and-forth action, Charleston and the Senators battled to a 2-2 draw.
The Basics
- Location: Welch Athletic Complex
- Final Score: UC 2, D&E 2
- Records: Charleston (3-5-2, 3-2-3 MEC), Davis & Elkins (3-5-2, 2-5-1 MEC)
How It Happened
Davis & Elkins came out on the front foot, forcing Ines Degli Esposti into her first save just 1:40 into the match. Charleston responded a few minutes later with a shot from Sydney Crowe, but the attempt was not enough to threaten the Senators’ goalkeeper. D&E continued to apply pressure, with Degli Esposti making three saves in a two-minute span to keep the game scoreless.
The Senators eventually broke through in the 35th minute after a Charleston turnover in the defensive third gave D&E an opportunity to send a cross from the right side. A one-touch finish found the back of the net between Degli Esposti’s legs, giving the Senators a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Charleston came out with renewed energy in the second half. Li-Lou Debaecker recorded the first shot of the half on a free kick, but the attempt was saved by the D&E goalkeeper. In the 53rd minute, Anaé Buehlmann drew a foul that resulted in a yellow card for the Senators. On the ensuing free kick, Ciara Casamento delivered a perfectly placed ball toward the far post, where Debaecker rose to head it into the back of the net and level the match at 1-1.
The Golden Eagles continued to apply pressure, forcing the Senators to defend for extended stretches. In the 73rd minute, Jamie Bland found Abigail Harrison, who used her first touch to beat her defender before driving down the right wing. Harrison then delivered a perfectly placed cross to Crowe at the far post. Crowe controlled the ball with her chest before finishing with her right foot to give Charleston a 2-1 lead.
The lead, however, would not last. Davis & Elkins regained its attacking pressure, and in the 83rd minute, the Senators found the equalizer on a shot from outside the box. Degli Esposti got a hand to the attempt but was unable to keep it out, bringing the match level at 2-2. Neither team could find a late winner, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The tightly contested nature of the match was reflected in the statistics, with Charleston recording 10 shots, including seven on target, while Davis & Elkins finished with eight shots and seven on target.
Up Next
Charleston will return to the road on Sunday, October 4, traveling to Wheeling for a 2PM kickoff.
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