Sophomore Nona Borden attempting one of her three shots during the match, two of Borden’s shots were on goal. Image/UNCP Athletics.
By Danny Williams, Contributor
Published April 4, 2021
UNC Pembroke soccer team’s matchup on March 28 against Lander ended in a 1-1 draw at Lumbee River Stadium. The result marks the third double overtime match of the season, and the first draw of the season for the Braves. For the Lander Bearcats, the match tallied their third overtime outing, and the tie has ended their previous four-game losing streak.
In the matchup, UNCP scored the first goal of the game in the fifth minute of play, as forward Alexis Pittman was fouled and allowed a penalty kick. She took advantage and drilled her penalty kick just out of reach of the goalie. After the goal, both the Braves and the Bearcats struggled to score, as they attempted 21 shots. Lander eventually found the net in the second half, as they tied up the game 1-1 with a goal from Gracie Beeson in the 88th minute.
After the tie, both teams continued to struggle, as both defenses were determined to stop any shots on goal. The Braves ended the game with 4 big saves, with all of them coming from freshman Chiara Coppin, and Lander rounded out the outing with nine saves. After regulation and two overtime periods, the game was finally called.
Coppin stated that the team’s great defensive play is credited to her and her teammates’ efforts as well.
“On the defensive end, my defensive line makes it easy for me, I have so much trust in them,” Coppin said.
“Overall, my performance with the game against Lander was pretty good, keeping them to only one goal was a big accomplishment due to us also going an extra twenty minutes in overtime,” Coppin added.
UNCP head coach Lars Andersson hopes that the outcome of the match will be a learning experience for the team.
“Nothing is given to you in the Peach Belt, it’s the best D2 league in the country. Every team in the Peach Belt is good enough to beat you. We didn’t get beat, but we’re certainly not satisfied with a 1-1 draw,” Andersson said.
The Braves are now 6-2-1 in the PBC and look to close out the regular season with a win against Flagler on Thursday, April 1 at Lumbee River Stadium.