Navy and USF Draw in Women’s Soccer, 1-1

August 29, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – After 110 minutes of play, neither Navy women’s soccer nor South Florida could break a 1-1 tie Friday night in Tampa, Fla. at Corbett Soccer Stadium. Navy continues its five-match road trip against Stetson Sunday at 1 p.m.

“I thought our team played with great composure again on the road in a tough environment as South Florida plays extremely well at home,” Navy head coach Carin Gabarra said. “Despite a slow start early on, we changed a few things midway through the first half and we looked like the better team towards the end and earned a fair result.”

Despite USF outshooting Navy, 25-15, the Mids tallied more corner kicks, 8-7 and saves, 4-3. Senior forward Morgan Dankanich (Glenmoore, Pa.) scored her second goal in as many games. Seniors Julie Schumacher (Plantation, Fla.) and Lily Kraemer (Pitman, N.J.) each recorded an assist on Dankanich’s goal.

Navy goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) continued to play well in net, tallying four saves on five chances. Wetherby has recorded 15 saves in three games. USF goalie Katarina Elliott made three saves on four shots.

With a scoreless tie after 45 minutes, Navy (0-2-1) turned up the pressure on both sides of the ball to create the first true scoring opportunity. The Mids were awarded a free kick at midfield following a Bulls foul in the 62nd minute. Schumacher sent her pass to the middle of USF’s defensive third where teammate Kraemer was in position to head it forward onto Dankanich inside the 18-yard box. Dankanich wasted very little time and finished off the play to put Navy up 1-0.

As time was running out in the second half, USF was given a penalty kick in the 87th minute on a Lexi Ricketts foul inside the 18-yard box. The Bulls Demi Stokes took the free kick and beat Wetherby for the equalizer.

Navy’s best scoring opportunity came in the second overtime in the 106th minute. Freshman Natalie Dzhandzhapanyan (Diamond Bar, Calif.) launched a shot from inside the box and hit underneath the crossbar, sending the ball directly to the goal line. The shot was ruled that it did not cross the plane and both teams finished with the score tied 1-1.

South Florida (0-2-1) began the first 25 minutes strong, recording three corner kicks and eight shots. Navy however was tough in its defensive end and kept USF off the scoreboard.

Navy then responded with a substitution in the midfield, replacing Rachel Feldman with Liza Harris to shake things up. The substitution helped give Navy more time of possession and slowed USF’s offense down.

“Liza really stepped up and took full advantage of her playing time,” Gabarra said. “She was able to contain the Bulls’ midfielder Olivia Chance, which slowed down their offense and help gain more possessions for us.

The Mids held the Bulls scoreless for the final 20 minutes of the half to keep the match tied, 0-0. USF held advantages in shots, 10-3 and corner kicks, 3-1

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