FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- August 22 2006
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

     Women's Soccer Ties #9 Madonna, 1-1, in Double Overtime

Box Score

Houghton, NY- The 2006 Houghton women's soccer team battled #9 Madonna University (MI) to a 1-1 tie after two extra frames of soccer on Monday evening in the season opener for both squads.

The 6th ranked Highlanders were picked favorites against the 9th ranked Madonna Crusaders. Freshman Kati Germane (MU) scored first in the 66th minute to open the scoring for the ninth ranked Crusaders.

Bethany Kowalczyk picked up where she left off in 2005, registering her first goal of the season in the 70th minute of the game. Hannah swift is credited with her first assist of the season as well.

This game could have gone either way with two shots from the Highlanders going off the cross-bar and some great defensive effort from the Highlanders which repelled wave after wave from the Crusaders.

Freshman goalie Becky Wakeman played an outstanding game with her first start against a nationally ranked opponent with three saves in 110 minutes. Wakeman and the entire Highlander defense kept out numerous key possessions from the Crusader’s relentless offense.

"It was a fairly even game on both sides of the field," said Madonna head coach Paul Thomas. "A tie was the best ending for both teams after this contest. It was a good effort for us against another nationally ranked opponent."

The Highlanders posted 15 total shots on the night, including nine on goal.

Kowlczyk’s goal helped the Highlanders to their second straight draw against Madonna. In 2005, the Highlanders and Crusaders played to a 0-0 tie at Greenmead Field.

The Highlanders begin the 2006 season 0-0-1 and will look to pick up their first win on Thursday in a non-conference match with Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY beginning at 5:00 p.m. (ET).