No. 19 Pirates Earn 2-2 Draw At Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. - The No. 19-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women's soccer squad rallied from a one-goal halftime deficit to pick up a 2-2 draw at Wingate on Wednesday afternoon in Wingate, N.C.

The Pirates (4-1-2) remained unbeaten in their last four matches, while Wingate (4-0-2) remained unbeaten on the season, earning their second draw with a Peach Belt Conference school in the last 10 days.

Set pieces provided both of the Pirates' goals on the afternoon. AASU took an early 1-0 lead when freshman Morgan Mitchell headed home a corner kick from senior Kristin Burton in the 22nd minute, the fourth goal of the season for Mitchell.

Wingate responded with a flurry that resulted in two goals in a four-minute span. Wingate forward Kelly Adams got behind the AASU back line and chipped keeper Tracey Mitchell in the 34th minute for the Bulldogs' first tally. In the 37th minute, Wingate's Samantha Baldwin converted on a free kick just outside the box to put the Bulldogs up, 2-1.

The score would remain 2-1 into intermission, with Wingate holding a 6-3 edge in shots.

Senior Kayley Ralton would even things up early into the second half, again off of a corner kick from Kristin Burton as her header beat Wingate keeper Miriam Boucher for a 2-2 score. The two goals given up by Boucher were the first two she has given up this season in nearly 400 minutes of action.

All the chances to come away with a win would side with the Pirates before overtime. Boucher turned away a shot by Þórdís Pétursdóttir in the 76th minute, while Björg Magnea Ólafs's shot clanged off the crossbar in the 85th minute.

In the first overtime period, Wingate's Kelly Adams had the Bulldogs' only shot after intermission, missing wide right in the 97th minute. Burton single-handedly tried to give the Pirates the win in the second overtime period, tallying three shots - one that Boucher had to save in the 102nd minute and one that hit the crossbar in the 104th minute.

AASU enjoyed an 11-7 edge in shots for the match, including an 8-1 edge after halftime. Wingate collected seven corner kicks, compared to five for AASU, while the Pirates were whistled for 17 fouls, compared to 10 for the Bulldogs. Boucher made four saves for Wingate in net, while Mitchell made one for the Pirates in one half of action - Meghan Mayville played keeper after halftime and did not have to make a save.

Burton's two assists give the senior 26 for her career, breaking her tie with Lyndsi Stricklen for the all-time assist lead at AASU. She is now tied with Kennesaw State's Jenae Gzehoviak for second all-time in the PBC in career assists, trailing FMU's Katie Roberts (35) for the all-time PBC lead.

The Pirates return home on Saturday, September 19, for a 3:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference match against Clayton State at AT&T Field.