'Roos Settle for 1-1 Tie with Jays

by Ben Bullock

September 14, 2012

(Omaha, Neb.) - In its lone game of the week, the UMKC women's soccer team (2-3-3) erased a 1-0 halftime deficit and settled for a 1-1 tie with the Creighton Bluejays (2-5-2) on the road Thursday evening.

The Jays took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when forward Kelsey O'Donnell (2) fired a shot just high of keeper Nina Tzianos' reach for the score. Defender Jill Richgels was credited with the assist.

Later in the period during the 40th minute, same score, Kansas City had a chance to tie the game when forward Taylor Bare found midfielder Pressley Prisco streaking to the net. But, keeper Katie Jo Swanson denied Prisco to keep it a one-score game.

At the half, Creighton out-shot the Kangaroos, 10-4, while Tzianos tallied four saves.

But in the second half, Kansas City became the aggressor. During the 61st minute, Bare (1) found herself deep in Creighton territory with the ball as her shot was deflected by the Bluejays and ricocheted off the post. But, midfielder Allison Schau (1) controlled the ball near the goalie box and shot it by Swanson to tie the game.

As the period progressed, both squads scored, but were negated by an offsides call.

In the final minute, the Jays had a chance to end the game when midfielder Alyssa Jara made a move past a Kangaroo defender and sent a shot to the net. Nevertheless, Tzianos came away with the save as the game went to overtime. Coming in, the 'Roos were 0-0-2 in overtime games this season.

Throughout the second period, Kansas City out-shot Creighton, 15-8.

During the first overtime, neither team was able to break through as an extra 10 minutes was needed to decide a winner.

In the second overtime during the final seconds, Creighton midfielder Kaelyn Korte had an opportunity to score the game-winning goal, but Tzianos was there for a career-high 10th save to secure the tie.

At game's end, the 'Roos tallied a school record 26 shots with 15 coming in the second half.

"The second half effort by the girls was really good," said head coach Chris Cissell. "Next game against Drake will be a huge."

Coming up, the Blue & Gold will travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Bulldogs next Thursday at 7 p.m.