Nighthawks battle AMCATS to 1-1 tie

PAXTON, Mass. (09.28.10) – The Anna Maria College women’s soccer team played Newbury College to a 1-1 tie through two overtimes on Tuesday evening at AMCAT Field. The tie moves the AMCATS to 0-7-1 overall, while the Nighthawks’ go to 1-5-1 on the season. 

The two teams remained scoreless through the first 31 minutes of play before sophomore Alexa Hare (North Brookfield, Mass.) fed Amanda Hevy (North Brookfield, Mass.) with a beautiful ball ahead of the defense. Hevy gathered the pass and found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, giving the AMCATS a 1-0 lead. 

Anna Maria held onto the one score lead deep into the second half until the Nighthawks finally broke through in the 72^ndminute of play. Junior Jessica Graus (Rochester, N.Y.) attacked the AMC net, putting a hard shot on goal that was saved by a great effort from Anna Maria goalkeeper Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, Mass.). However, the rebound was gathered by senior Ashley Green-Allen (Brockton, Mass.) who knocked in the game-tying score. 

There were few opportunities during overtime, with each team amassing just three shots apiece over two extra periods of play, and the game ended in a one-all tie. 

The Nighthawks doubled-up the AMCATS in shots 22-11, while also holding a 5-1 edge in corners. Greene-Allen and Graus each contributed a game-high six shots for Newbury, while Hare paced the AMCATS with a team-best four shots. In net, freshman Kimberly Bibby (Brockton, Mass.) made five stops on the night, with Ruggeri turning away 11 shots for the AMCATS. 

The Nighthawks return to the field on Saturday when they travel to face Bay Path, while the AMCATS return to action on Wednesday, hosting Roger Williams in a TCCC matchup starting at 4:00 PM.

Story provided by: Anna Maria Sports Information