The Kentucky women’s soccer team dominated most of the game’s first 90 minutes, but allowed Michigan State to score in the 87th minute and settled for a 1-1 draw on Friday night at the UK Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats controlled the game from the opening kick, outshooting the Spartans 8-1 in the first half en route to a 21-11 overall shot advantage. Even more impressive was the nine shots UK put on goal, five coming in the first 45 minutes.
“We could have won the game,” Kentucky head coach Warren Lipka said. “We created plenty of opportunities and that’s what we’re looking for in the beginning of the season. Now, we just have to go to work to finish those opportunities.”
However, the offensive onslaught did not produce a goal until the 65th minute when freshman Kate Hughes beat Nicole Gales to give Kentucky a 1-0 lead. Hughes took a feed from Courtney McCrudden inside the left half of the 18 and juked one defender before burying her shot.
“Kate showed great composure inside the box,” Lipka said. “She got the ball one vs. one in the 18, cut it back and finished. You’re happy to see a player do that, especially a freshman that has a tremendous future in front of her.”
Prior to the goal, the Wildcats had numerous chances they couldn’t finish. In the 50th minute, Hughes blasted a free kick off the crossbar. Four minutes, later, McCrudden had a clear shot on goal inside the 18 and sent it just wide.
The teams battled back and forth as the clock wound down until Maureen Pawlak delivered the equalizer. She won a loose ball and belted a shot from 25 yards that went top shelf over the outstretched arms of Wildcat keeper Anne Ogundele.
Moments later, Ogundele made a tremendous leaping save to keep the tie intact for Kentucky. Erin Konheim laced a shot similar to Pawlak’s and Ogundele was just able to deflect it high off the crossbar.
The Wildcats produced a pair of scoring chances in the two overtimes, but were unable to net the winner. Five of UK’s shots came in the extra frames, while Michigan State put none on goal.
Kentucky moved to 8-3-3 all time in season openers and 7-4-3 in home openers. It is the fifth time a UK opener has gone to overtime with the Wildcats posting a 1-1-3 mark in those.
Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday when they host Eastern Kentucky at 7:30 p.m.
