MNU Picks Up Third Draw of the Season

Goals from Taryn McClendon and Allison Rice were offset by a pair of strikes from Oklahoma Wesleyan as the Pioneers yet again snatch another tie from the clutches of victory.
 
The Pioneers are experiencing their own private Groundhog Day. For the third game this season the Pioneers have surrendered a lead in the final minutes to finish a match 2-2. After last weekend's 6-2 drubbing of Master's College, it had seemed the Pioneers were over this bizarre quirk of theirs to relinquish victory, but evidence suggests they still have some work to do closing out games.
 
The day started well enough. Rains earlier in the week meant that Pioneer Field was once again unplayable, so both Men's and Women's soccer matches had to be moved to ODAC. Despite clear sunny skies on match day, high northerly winds added a degree of difficulty, influencing the flight of any ball played off the pitch.
 
From the kickoff the Pioneers controlled the flow of play. However, after just 10 minutes, the Pioneers found themselves picking the ball out of their net. After failing to clear the box, the ball found its way to the foot of OKWU's Aracely Ortega, who's shot, held up in the wind, found its way over the outstretched hand of MNU's keeper Anesa Curic.
 
Trailing by a goal, MNU continued their control of possession and created several chances in and around the box. In the 51st minute, senior Taryn McClendon scored from a set piece just at the arc of OKWU's box, brilliantly curling the ball around the goalkeeper's wall and into the net. The Pioneers were now in the ascendancy, and sensed another goal coming.
 
Sometimes all it takes is to get the ball on target for good things to happen. In the 59th minute, MNU's Alexa Hyzdu sent a cross into the box which bounced off the goalkeeper's face to set up Allison Rice for a poacher's finish.
 
Once again, victory seemed all but assured. Once again, MNU had control of the match and held a win in their hands. But, once again, the Pioneers would lose their grip. Early signs of capitulation were quelled when Anesa Curic picked a shot out of the top corner from a free kick preserving the Pioneer lead. However, in the closing minutes, a turnover in the midfield sent Oklahoma Wesleyan striker Kaja Cremin through the entirety of MNU's back four, and she blazed her way through middle of the pitch, finishing the move with a curling shot around Curic. The clock read 1:59. The score was now 2-2.
 
Despite losing another lead, the Pioneers were up for the overtime period. Numerous opportunities were created in and around the box, but a committed defensive display from OKWU and several heroic saves from goalkeeper Alyza Olague meant that Oklahoma Wesleyan would hang on for the away draw.
 
The Pioneers carry a record of 2-1-3 headed into conference play. They now have a week to prepare before next Saturday's home match against William Penn, where they will hope bring an end to this recurring Groundhog Day.