NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – The USCB women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to four games but was unable to come away with a victory Saturday, playing to a 1-1 draw with host Johnson & Wales in a Sun Conference matchup.
The Sand Sharks (7-5-1, 3-1-1 TSC) dominated the run of play, outshooting the Wildcats 21-3 and holding an 11-1 edge in shots on goal, but an early miscue and an untimely lightning delay worked against USCB.
The Wildcats tallied the game's first goal with some help from the Sand Sharks, as USCB attempted to clear a ball in the box with a header that wound up in their own goal in the 17th minute.
"This was a winnable game for us," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "We came out flat to start the game and the own-goal put us behind early. We kept fighting and pushing for the equalizer before halftime, but it wasn't happening."
USCB finally broke through in the 68th minute, when Poppy Miller's corner kick found its way to Hayley Pina, whose header resulted in her team-leading eighth goal of the season and gave the Sand Sharks renewed energy.
The momentum was short-lived, though, as the game went into a lightning delay just six minutes later.
"It was a very pretty goal that gave us confidence," Heberling said. "We started to gain momentum and dictate the speed of the game before the storm moved in."
The Sand Sharks were unable to capitalize on any of their numerous chances after a delay of more than 90 minutes, and after two extra 10-minute periods, the match was declared a draw with each team earning one point.
USCB maintained its fourth-place standing in the Sun Conference table but faces a tough matchup Monday at undefeated Keiser, the second-ranked team in the NAIA.
"We have little time to forget this match and prepare for Keiser," Heberling said. "The team needs to be focused, positive, and confident over the next two days."
BOJANGLES' PLAYER OF THE GAME
Hayley Pina
Junior • Forward • Culver City, Calif.
Pina was the most productive offensive player for the Sand Sharks, producing nine shots – five on goal – and finishing USCB's lone goal of the afternoon with a beautiful header off a corner kick, adding to her USCB career-leading totals for goals and points.
