Columbia, MD – A high octane conference battle saw the Frederick Cougars win in a controversial 6-5 overtime over the Dragons.
The Dragons got out to a high flying start as
Nikki Vieira (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colégio Adventista) scored in the 8
th minute on a long free kick from
Leigh McDonald (Loveland, CO/Mountain View).
Frederick responded strongly with three straight goals to take the lead before Vieira drew a foul in the box which allowed
Grace Pritchett (Dayton, MD/Linganore) to power the penalty shot into the top of the net.
Down 3-2 at the halftime break, Pritchett was able to feed Vieira on a perfect through ball to tie the game in the 51
st minute.
Busi Sokoya (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) earned a chance to move forward from her normal spot at central defense and took advantage as she played a 1-2 with Vieira and was able to chip the ball into the net for her first goal of the season to put the Dragons up 4-3.
Frederick tied the game 10 minutes later on a counter attack that proved difficult for Howard to contain throughout the contest.
Kristen Ogle (Sykesville, MD/Century) made some magic happen in the 72
nd minute as a long free kick found Vieira behind the defense which she deftly maneuvered around the Frederick keeper to give Howard the lead back on Vieira's hat trick.
The Dragons did an excellent job of controlling possession and killing the clock, getting within two minutes of closing out the game when controversy ensued. As a Cougars cross was put into Howard's box, Sokoya was able to intercept the ball and was dribbling away when the referee called a hand ball in the box and awarded a penalty kick for Frederick. Madison Sorrell took the ball to the spot and found the lower left corner of the net to tie the game with just 100 seconds left in regulation.
Despite some early chances in overtime for the Dragons, it was the Cougars who were able to get one last counter attack which allowed Lindsey Brant to score her third of the contest for the golden goal.
Howard will look to rebound as they travel to CCBC Catonsville on Friday, October 12 for a 4 PM game.
