DALLAS, Pa. – Senior Niamh Healy (Orangeburg, N.Y./Tappan Zee) scored the equalizer in the 84th minute and The University of Scranton women's soccer team (4-2-3) battled No. 17 Misericordia (4-3-1) to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night at Mangelsdorf Field in Dallas.
Junior Samantha Goffice (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown Area) played a ball to Healy at the edge of the box who sent a rocket to the far post past the outstretched goalie to even things at two apiece with her team-leading 10th goal of the season. It also marked the eighth straight game in which Healy has found the back of the net.
Misericordia opened the scoring just 1:48 into the contest on a goal from Maegan Allspach, but Scranton quickly responded in the eighth minute as senior Claire Mulholland (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) sent a feed across the top of the box to junior Emily Bannon (Middletown, N.Y./Minisink Valley) who tied the game with a one-touch finish tucked inside the post. However, the Cougars took the lead in the 11th minute as Julia Beck played a ball over the top to Allspach who got in behind the defense and netted her second goal of the evening. Mulholland had a quality chance in the 17th minute, but her shot was turned away by Emma Stroud and Misericordia continued to hold the 2-1 edge at halftime.
Bannon's goal was her third of the season and she has now recorded a point in four of her last five games.
In the second half, Misericordia had a couple of chances to extend the lead, but junior goalie Nicole Olson (Stoughton, Mass./Ursuline Academy) registered saves in the 69th and 71st minutes to keep it a one-goal game for the time being. Following Healy's afore-mentioned equalizer in the 84th minute, Beck saw her free kick attempt sail over the crossbar just over a minute later.
Misericordia held a 15-6 shot advantage in the contest and Healy led the Royals with three shots.
Olson made five saves on the night for the Royals, while Stroud tallied one save in 45 minutes of action for the Cougars.
Scranton returns home to host rival Catholic on Saturday afternoon at Weiss Field and action is slated to get underway at 3:30 p.m.
--ROYALS--
