Charleston, S.C. - Ruth Leiva and Ana Mesa both had a goal and an assist to help The Citadel overcome the loss of leading scorer Mariana Garcia in a 2-2 tie with Winthrop in women's soccer action Wednesday at WLI Field.

The Bulldogs are 2-3-2 on the season heading into the start of Southern Conference play on Sept. 27 at Furman. The Eagles are 4-1-1 on the year.

The Citadel trailed 2-1 with under 10 minutes remaining when Leiva dribbed down the right side of the field before feeding Mesa, whose shot snuck in under the crossbar to even the contest. The goal was the first of the season for Mesa.

Winthrop had the two best scoring opportunities in the first overtime period, but Bulldog goalkeeper Naomi Carter was equal to the task. She made a diving save on a shot by Samantha Prytulak three minutes into the extra session that created a corner kick. Krystyna Freda was able to get her head on the ensuing corner but it went wide of the net.

The Citadel then had a chance to put in the game winner, but consecutive shots by Flo Amess and Lea Raedle were both stopped by Winthrop netminder Amelia Henderson.

In the second overtime period, Freda had a breakaway opportunity ahead of the Bulldog defense, but again Carter came up big with a save that kept the game tied. The Bulldog freshman goalkeeper finished the day with eight saves while Henderson stopped five Citadel shots.

"I am very happy with the team's scrappy effort against a good Winthrop squad," said Citadel head coach Bob Winch. "Ana Mesa has worked so hard in the midfield this year, and I am glad she was rewarded for her efforts."

Mesa also figured in the first Citadel goal, creating a scoring chance but her shot was blocked. However, Leiva followed with a shot that eluded Henderson on her left side to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead at the 35:14 mark of the opening half. The goal was the second of the season for the senior tri-captain.

The lead didn't last long as Freda scored her eighth goal of the season just two minutes later to send the teams to intermission tied 1-1. Winthrop took the lead midway through the second half when Taylor Coleman tallied her fifth goal of the season and had a chance to take the lead with 16 minutes left when a shot by Prytulak hit the crossbar.

The Eagles finished with a 22-16 advantage in shots but were whistled for 11 offsides infractions. The Citadel had six corner kick opportunities to four for Winthrop.

Garcia went out with 11 minutes remaining in the first half when she suffered a bruised knee. Garcia, who had scored six of The Citadel's seven goals on the year entering the contest, was held out the rest of the game as a precautionary measure but should be ready when the Bulldogs take on the Paladins in the SoCon opener.

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