Freija Aflenzer scored a late equalizer as the Eckerd College women’s soccer team battled No. 1 Florida Tech to a 1-1 draw Sept. 26 in Melbourne, Fla. Florida Tech opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Eckerd answered late to secure the road result. The draw moved Eckerd to 4-2-4 overall and kept the Tritons unbeaten in Sunshine State Conference play at 1-0-3.
Eckerd created opportunities throughout the opening half. Amy Woodhead forced a save in the fifth minute, and Aflenzer struck the left post in the 22nd minute. Jillian Doerger added three first-half attempts as Eckerd entered halftime trailing 1-0, with both teams recording five looks in the opening 45 minutes.
Florida Tech’s goal came from Iselin Brualoekken, with assists from Eboni Bradshaw and Isabelle Bromage. Aflenzer nearly tied the match in the 57th minute when she hit the left post for the second time. Florida Tech managed 13 second-half shots, but Madi Winn and the Eckerd defense kept the deficit at one.
Aflenzer delivers late
Eckerd finally broke through late in the match. Aflenzer won possession after battling with her defender and fired the equalizing shot into the goal. The score remained 1-1 through the rest of the match.
Aflenzer led Eckerd with four shots, including two on goal. Doerger also finished with four attempts, while Woodhead recorded Eckerd’s other shot on target. Winn made three saves, and Eckerd finished with three shots on goal to Florida Tech’s four.
What comes next
Eckerd College is scheduled to return to action next Saturday at Lynn. The supplied schedule information does not include an exact date or time for the match. Eckerd will carry its unbeaten Sunshine State Conference record into that contest.
FSB Take
Eckerd College responded to an early deficit against the nation’s top-ranked team and secured a road draw through Aflenzer’s late goal. Her two shots off the left post before the equalizer showed the pressure Eckerd created, while Winn’s three saves helped preserve the opportunity to level the match. The result gives the Tritons a 1-0-3 record in Sunshine State Conference play.
Source: Original report