TULSA, Okla. – After facing a 0-2 deficit early in the first half, Missouri State women's soccer rallied from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Tulsa here on Sunday afternoon.
Tulsa got on the scoreboard in the 10th minute when Isold Runnarsdottir got free and found the back of the net with assists from Liliana Fernandez and Karsen Aguirre. Just six minutes later, Fernandez extended the Golden Hurricane lead by sending a left-footed shot past Montgomery to make it 2-0.
The Bears clawed back in the 29th minute when Anna Durnin collected her first goal of the season on an impressive shot from 30 yards out to bring Missouri State within one. Durnin's goal marked the fourth consecutive match that the Bears have scored in the first half.
Both teams held each other in check for the remainder of the half as the Bears entered the locker room, facing a deficit for the first time this season.
Missouri State knotted things up in the 61st minute with an impressive offensive sequence as Kennady Orlick scored on a header off a beautiful cross from Grace O'Keefe. The goal was Orlick's first of the season and third in her career against Tulsa. With her assist O'Keefe has now tallied a goal or assist in all four matches this season.
Weather played a critical role in the match as water breaks were instituted and the temperature at kickoff was a scorching 93 degrees with 44% humidity.
Carly Raunig anchored the Missouri State backline in the final minutes of regulation, making two impressive plays to thwart Tulsa scoring opportunities.
With neither team breaking the tie in regulation, Missouri State entered overtime for the first time this season. Katherine Montgomery made an impressive sliding save in the first overtime to deny Tulsa's Jaydn Chee. In the second overtime, Montgomery made another save on a shot by Chee to preserve the tie.
"Great character shown today against a quality team," head coach Rob Brewer stated. "We were down two goals on the road and came back to have a chance to win. The team accepted the adjustments we made at half and made it work. We are looking forward to playing at home next week."
Overall, Tulsa outshot Missouri State, 16-11, while holding the advantage in shots on goal, 6-5. Orlick and Durnin were the leaders in shots for the Bears with three apiece.
Montgomery settled in nicely after the two early Tulsa goals, making four saves over the next 93 minutes of play. Tulsa goalkeeper Emma Malsy allowed two goals while collecting three saves in her 110 minutes of action.
Kate Schroeder exited the match due to injury in the 20th minute and did not return after getting tangled up on a slide tackle by Tulsa defender Bree Doeble, causing Schroeder to take a hard fall to the turf.
The Bears (1-2-0) return to Springfield to host Oral Roberts on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on either ESPN3 or ESPN+. Admission is free to all games at Allison South Stadium this season.
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