Panthers secure point in 1-1 draw with Saint Mary’s
While the UPEI Panthers are content adding a point in the standings after a 1-1 draw with the Saint Mary’s Huskies Saturday afternoon, there was also a feeling of missed opportunity.
By Thomas Becker
While the UPEI Panthers are content adding a point in the standings after a 1-1 draw with the Saint Mary's Huskies Saturday afternoon, there was also a feeling of missed opportunity.
Sophomore defender Phoebe Mitchell said the team came into the game confident they could take all three points from a struggling opponent, but just couldn't find that go-ahead goal.
"It's unfortunate to lose a goal. We would've liked to come out of it 1-0, if not more, but I still think we did pretty good."
To get the offence going, the Panthers (1-2-1) started the game in a new formation, where the four in the middle bunched up and formed a diamond, and it seemed to work early as they were they were first to strike.
In just the third minute, Lauren Clark sailed a corner kick past Grace Morrison, who misplayed the clear attempt, giving UPEI the 1-0 advantage.
The Huskies (0-3-2) had a chance to tie it in the 27th minute when Anelise Karakostas gathered a throw in, turned and sent a low shot toward the net that her teammate couldn't catch up to for the sure tip in.
Saint Mary's was on the attack again six minutes later, but UPEI goalkeeper Ali Muise denied the scoring opportunity, as she punched the ball to safety after a Madison Ganong corner kick almost curled in.
However, they would eventually find the equalizer in the 66th minute when a seemingly harmless cross from Karakostas was bobbled by Muise and easily put away by Virginia Boone that secured the 1-1 draw.
Although disappointed his team didn't come away with three points, Panthers head coach Lewis Page was happy with the way they battled, especially after surrendering the tying goal.
"Any time you get a draw instead of a win, you've missed a chance to get points, but I thought we played well," he said. "I tinkered around with the team in terms of tactics and that probably cost us the points more than the girls' performance did."
The Panthers have an opportunity to pick up a few more points Sunday afternoon when travel to Saint John to take on the UNB Reds.
"We know we can beat them, we did it in the preseason" Mitchell said. "If we play as well as we can, we can beat anyone in this league."
Photo Credit: Greg Ellison
