Columbia, MD - The Howard Community College women's soccer team tied 1-1 with the Catamounts of Potomac State after a late goal by Potomac.
Looking for any bit of juice, the Dragons and the Catamounts both put forth a number of different tactics to see who would land themselves on the scoreboard first. Dragons goalkeeper
Olivia Jackson (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) was able to pick up her first two saves for the match after a few early shot attempts by the Catamounts. Howard also looked to make an impact on offense with a few good shots as well by
Melissa Villatoro (Riverdale, MD/Parkdale), that was saved by Catamount goalkeeper Hartley VanGlider and another shot by
Giselle Castillo (Falls Church, VA/Justice) that went high.
Kimberly Ruano (Laurel, MD/Laurel) takes another shot for the Dragons that just hits off the post, but at the 27th minute mark the Dragons land on the scoreboard first after a goal made by
Mireida Castillo (Falls Church, VA/Falls Church), and assisted by Ruano.
As the game rolled on, the Catamounts looking for anything on offense to tie things up with the Dragons. They found a number of good looks against the Dragons but just weren't successful on their shot attempts. The heat also seemed to be taking a toll on both sides of the ball, as the energy seemed to fade at some points during the game but with some motivational communication from all players things seemed to start moving again. A fast break attempt by the Catamounts makes way for an amazing save by Dragons own
Aquetzali Hernandez (Bladensburg, MD/Bladensburg) right inside the Dragon's box, keeping Potomac off the scoreboard. The first half ends with the Dragons leading 1-0.
Alot of communication from both sides urging each other to keep pushing and fight back going into the second half. Dragons seen a couple of open shots at the start, but resulted in a few blocks and saves for the Catamounts.
Yoselin Ortiz Cruz (Alexandria, VA/Alexandria City) found herself with 2 openings during the match, one was saved by VanGlider and the other went wide. Intensity continued to rise, and the heat from the sun and match seemed to be getting to players. And it seemed to become a little too much for Dragons goalkeeper Jackson, as
Genesis Vara (Riverdale, MD/Parkdale) took her place in the middle of the second half.
Catamounts were surely looking to take advantage of this change but Vara wasn't letting things get past her that easily with 2 big saves. But the Catamounts finally found their edge after a free kick by Makenzie Park is headed in by Hannah Ault, making it a tied score of 1-1 with 17 minutes left to play. The Catamounts remained in possession for majority of the final minutes in the second half taking a few more shots, one of which was again saved by Vara but proved unsuccessful at adding any further goals to the board. The horn buzzed to sound the end of the match, keeping the final score from Columbia, MD 1-1.
The Dragons will take a bit of a break and be back in action on October 10, at 2 PM as they will host the Lakers of Garrett College.
