SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- A late penalty kick erased a lead that the No. 16 John Brown University women's soccer team had protected for more than 75 minutes, as the Golden Eagles settled for a 1-1 draw with No. 14 Oklahoma Wesleyan on Saturday night (Sept. 12) at Alumni Field.
Junior Holly Lanter's fourth of the season put John Brown (4-1-1) on the front foot in the 11th minute, finishing an assist from sophomore Andi Riley.
The Golden Eagles controlled much of the opening half, outshooting Oklahoma Wesleyan 8-2 and forcing OKWU goalkeeper Alessandra Martinez into four saves before the intermission. JBU also generated five first-half corner kicks while limiting the visitors to two shots, both of which freshman goalkeeper Ansley Fuchs stopped.
Senior Addie Craig tested goalkeeper Alessandra Martinez in the ninth minute before Lanter broke through at 10:06. Junior Tianna Jones added two shots on goal later in the half – including a one-versus-one with Martinez that the goalkeeper won, while junior Katherine Keys put another on target in the 42nd minute.
Oklahoma Wesleyan (1-2-2) shifted the momentum after halftime, producing 10 of its 12 shots over the final 45 minutes.
Fuchs made four second-half saves, denying Ashley Perez in the 58th minute, Ana Chaves in the 62nd, Mesa Broquard in the 71st and Kirsten Bruhns in the 80th to preserve the one-goal advantage.
The hosts continued to create opportunities as well. Jones had an attempt saved in the 53rd minute, while Craig added two second-half shots and senior Clare Barger sent another chance high in the 71st.
The lead held until the final five minutes as a questionable foul inside the penalty area awarded the visitors a penalty kick in the 86th minute, and Chaves converted from the spot for her third of the season to level the match at one apiece.
The visitors nearly found a winner less than two minutes later when Bruhns struck the crossbar in the 88th minute.
John Brown finished with a 13-12 edge in total shots, while Oklahoma Wesleyan held a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Golden Eagles also owned a 9-6 edge in corner kicks.
Fuchs made six saves and received the draw decision, moving to 4-1-1 in goal. Martinez finished with an impressive five saves for Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The Golden Eagles will take on Columbia (Mo.) next at Alumni Field, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. The clash will be carried live on the Urban Edge Network and the SAC Sports Network.
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