CLARKSVILLE – Freshman Haley Patterson scored her first career goal in the ninth minute to give Austin Peay State University's soccer team an early lead, but a North Dakota goal in the 35th minute tied the match and led to a 1-1 double-overtime draw, Thursday, at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field.
Austin Peay (3-4-2) got on the board early when Alec Baumgardt fired a shot on goal from outside the 18-yard box; North Dakota (2-5-1) goalkeeper Madi Livingston was able to save the Baumgardt shot, but she could not corral the loose ball and Patterson chipped a shot into the back of the net to give the Govs the lead, 1-0, in the ninth minute. Patterson's first career goal made her the third Austin Peay freshman to find the back of the net this season and came on Baumgardt's team-leading second assist.
North Dakota nearly tied the match less than a minute after the Patterson goal when a Cassie Giddings shot snuck past a sliding Peyton Powell, but Clara Heistermann kept the Fighting Hawks off the board with a timely goal-line clearance.
In the 35th minute, North Dakota was able to get on the scoreboard when a free kick deflected off an Austin Peay player for an own goal. With the match tied, neither side took another shot for the rest of the half and the scored remained tied, 1-1, at break.
The Governors came out with shots on target from Anna McPhie and Rachel Bradberry in the 52nd and 68th minutes, respectively, but the North Dakota keeper was up to the task and made both saves. The Austin Peay defense held North Dakota without a shot on goal in the second half and the match remained tied, 1-1, at the end of regulation.
Patterson took the only shot on goal for the Governors during overtime, but her 103rd-minute strike was saved by Livingston. The Fighting Hawks put a single shot on target in each of the two overtime periods, but neither was able to best Powell, who finished the night with three saves.
From the Twitterverse
Opening thoughts… "I am extremely proud of the girl's performance tonight. We battled the entire match and earned a good result against a good team. The energy put out from the players tonight was contagious and I think you could feel that on the field. The atmosphere was brilliant, the fans were amazing and helped us get through a really fun game."
On Patterson's goal… "I am really happy for Haley to get her first collegiate goal. It was only a matter of time, she has been brilliant for us this season."
Moving forward… "We are unbeaten in the last five matches. That speaks volumes about the work these goals are putting in at practice and on their own. Now we focus on recovering for a massive game on Sunday and to celebrate our four amazing seniors.
Up Next
Austin Peay will be back at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field for Senior Day when it plays a 1 p.m., Sunday match against UT Martin. The Govs will honor four seniors – Rachel Bradberry, Kaylee Kraft, Delanie McKeon, and Peyton Powell – following the first Ohio Valley Conference match of the season. The Governors will then make the short trip to Nashville to play a 6:30 p.m., Sept. 30 match against Belmont at E.S. Rose Park.
For news and updates on everything Governors soccer, follow along on Twitter or Instagram (@GovsWSOC) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.
