A penalty kick goal by Finley Lloyd with just over two minutes remaining helped the North Greenville Trailblazers earn a 1-1 draw against Barton College Saturday afternoon in Wilson, North Carolina.
North Greenville moved to 3-6-3 overall and 3-3-3 in Conference Carolinas play, while Barton moved to 8-3-2 overall and 5-2-2 in the conference.
NGUÂ goalkeeper Cadie Pendergrass was called into action twice in the first 11 minutes, stopping attempts from Aubrey Mayberry in the eighth and 11th minutes. The Bulldogs eventually broke through at 16:03 when Avery Heine scored her first goal of the season to give Barton a 1-0 advantage. The Bulldogs outshot the Trailblazers 9-2 over the first 45 minutes and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Despite the pressure, Pendergrass kept North Greenville within one goal, making three first-half saves as the Trailblazers entered halftime trailing 1-0.
The momentum shifted after the break as North Greenville began creating more opportunities while limiting Barton to just three shots over the final 45 minutes. The Trailblazers recorded seven second-half attempts after managing only two in the opening period. Pendergrass continued to provide stability in goal, making three more saves during the second half to keep the deficit at one. With time running out, North Greenville earned a penalty kick opportunity in the 88th minute. Lloyd converted at 87:59, scoring her second goal of the season to bring the Trailblazers even at 1-1. The goal erased a deficit that had lasted nearly 72 minutes. Time would expire with the match ending in a draw.
Lloyd and Valerie Hernandez led the North Greenville attack with two shots each, with both putting one attempt on goal. Isabella Gyurich, Maylie Diaz and Allison Curlee each recorded one shot on target, while Samanta Garcia and Kendyll Donnellon added one attempt apiece.
Pendergrass played all 90 minutes in goal, finishing with six saves while allowing just one goal. Barton finished with a 12-9 edge in total shots and a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Bulldogs also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks, although all nine combined corners came during the opening half.
North Greenville will return to action on Wednesday, October 14th against the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College at Pepsi Stadium.
