CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Despite taking an early 2-0 advantage in the first period, the Middle Tennessee soccer team (5-4-3, 2-1-1 C-USA) battled to a hard fought 2-2 draw on the road at Conference USA opponent Charlotte (7-4-1, 2-1-1 C-USA) Sunday afternoon.

The Blue Raiders jumped ahead in the 22nd minute, when Miranda Caballero sent a long free kick to Kate Loye, who then headed the ball over the Charlotte goalkeeper, giving MT a 1-0 lead. The goal was Loye’s sixth of the season and first assist for Caballero.

The offense continued to click for Middle Tennessee in the first period, when Loye took a corner kick in the 38th minute. Loye’s ball found the foot of Angie Lai, who netted MT’s second goal of the day. The goal was Lai’s first of the season and Loye’s second assist on the year.

MT took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, but the 49ers came charging back in the second period. Charlotte cut the Blue Raider lead in half during the 58th minute, when Amanda Jones sent a long pass from the left side to Maddie Kiebel, leaving Kiebel with a one-on-one opportunity. The goal was Kiebel’s second of the season.

Less than 10 minutes later, the 49ers netted the equalizer as Jones got in on the scoring action again. Dakota Olson crossed to Jones, who hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced in the net during the 65th minute. The goal was Jones’ fifth of the season.

The contest remained tied at 2-2 throughout the rest of regulation, sending the match into overtime. Charlotte’s Jennifer Lee had a shot on goal towards the end of the first overtime, but MT goalkeeper Kelsey Brouwer collected the save in the 99th minute.

The second overtime period wasn’t much different as each squad had a shot on goal, but the keepers kept the contest knotted up at 2-2, eventually ending in a tie.

Brouwer logged 110 minutes in goal for the Blue Raiders, gathering six saves on the day, while Charlotte goalkeeper Annika McHenry snagged four saves in the contest.

The 49ers outshot the Raiders 23-11 on the day with eight shots on goal, compared to MT’s six. Charlotte also claimed the corner kick contest, taking 12 corners to Middle Tennessee’s five.

The Blue Raiders return to action Sunday, Oct. 13, hosting LA Tech at 1 p.m. for the Think Pink game. 

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