Brooklyn, N.Y.  – The Long Island University women’s soccer team twice erased a one-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Columbia on Tuesday night at LIU Field. LIU converted a late penalty kick to rally for a tie in the back-and-forth contest and to 10-1-3 on the year, while extending its unbeaten streak to 12 games.

Columbia took an early lead after Kelly Hostetler sent a corner kick into traffic in front of the net that found Lauren Cooke, who managed to direct the ball into the net. The goal was the first allowed by the LIU defense in 712:21 of play dating back to a first half goal allowed at Fordham. The Lions nearly added to the lead in the 22nd minute after a shot by Liz Wicks forced a save by sophomore Jennifer Bannon. The rebound came to Lindsay Mushett, but her shot sailed high.

The Blackbirds were able to rally and force the Lions’ Lillian Klein to make a pair of tough saves. In the 20th minute, freshman Jen Spicer got behind the defense and had a shot from point-blank save that was stopped. That save was followed by a diving stop in the 34th minute off of a shot from senior Samantha Bock, before LIU was able to break through in the 37th minute, when junior Toni Smith sent a cross to sophomore Katie Egan who redirected the ball into the left corner to tie the game at 1-1.

The Lions retook the lead early in the second half after Chelsea Ryan sent a long throw-in that Ashlin Yahr flicked into the back of the net with her heel past freshman Jessica Sexton. The Blackbirds were able to draw level in the waning minutes after a foul was called in the penalty box on Columbia. Junior Ariana Calderon converted the ensuing penalty kick to close out the scoring and force overtime. Neither team seriously threatened to score in overtime.

LIU finished with a 17-11 edge in shots and both squads had six corner kicks. Bannon started and made one save, while Sexton made four saves after halftime for the Blackbirds. Klein made seven saves for Columbia.

The Blackbirds travel to Bryant on Sunday, Oct. 17.