By Zack Ciboth
The UNC Pembroke women’s soccer team took the road Wednesday night to take on the Barton College Bulldogs in Conference Carolina action. A battle from the start to end resulted in late goals from both sides that would force the match into a 1-1 draw as the final minutes counted down inside Truist Stadium in Wilson, N.C.
The Draw moves the Braves to overall record of 4-2-2 and a conference record of 3-0-2. For the Bulldogs they are 4-2-2 on the season and 1-1-1 in conference action. UNCP logged 24 shots, with 10 on frame, while Barton attempted ten shots with four on goal.
Both sides got things rolling early on and some quick showers during the game from the weather didn’t slow either team down. Both defenses stepped up big time when it matters the most keeping the ball from the goals as long as possible. A battle for 45 minutes was all too took to have a scoreless first half heading into the break.
Anna Grossheim would put the scoring drought to an end with a free kick goal in the 61st minute that she sent over the goalie’s head from 28-yards out and give the Braves new life with a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs responded minutes later with a goal of their own from Lexis Goldberg who scored off an assist from Felicia Svensson and Jenessa Gray to tie it up at 1-1. The Braves took the lead late in the last few minutes of the match for a brief moment but had a goal waved off for offsides and time winded out down for the draw.
Grossheim led the way with match highs with seven shots and three shots on goal while making her 77th career start for the Braves tying a school record. Mercy Bell and Maya McDonald each had four shots for the Braves with two of them coming on goal. In the net Anna Bass tallied three saves.
The Braves are back in action Saturday afternoon when they welcome Young Harris to town for a 12 p.m. kickoff. It is Lumbee River EMC Appreciation Day for the Braves as well.