Blackbirds Battle Beavers to 1-1 Tie; Extend Home Unbeaten Streak to 21

(boxscore)

9/22/06 -- Junior Caley Troutman (South Park, Pa.) scored her third goal of the season and senior goalie Stephanie Kansky (Bellevue, Wash.) made a few key stops in overtime as the Long Island University women’s soccer team (3-5-1) battled Oregon State to a 1-1 draw at LIU Field on Friday evening.

The tie extends the Blackbirds' home unbeaten streak to 21 games, good for 15th-best in NCAA Division I history.

In the first half, Long Island controlled the pace of play throughout and had a pair of great opportunities. Freshman Aly Hanson (New Milford, N.J.) had two shots on goal from close range that were denied by Beaver goalkeeper Melissa Onstad. The Blackbirds outshot Oregon State, 6-3, in the first half and had a 4-0 advantage on corners.

The second stanza began much the same way, and LIU finally got on the board in the 74th minute. Sophomore Christina O’Connor (Venetia, Pa.) made a beautiful one-on-one move to get by the Beavers defender. She followed with a high-arching cross over the goalie and onto the head of Troutman for the go-ahead goal.

Oregon State (4-2-2) put forth an urgent attack to get the equalizer, recording four shots in a span of 14 minutes. In the 89th minute, a free kick from the left side of the field ricocheted off an LIU defender. Jessica Velazquez corralled the rebound and sent a shot past Kansky and into the right side of the net.

In the first overtime period, the Beavers used the momentum they had gained at the end of regulation and had two chances to win the game. Just two and a half minutes into overtime, a header by Najma Homidi was denied by Kansky to preserve the tie. Midway through the period, Jodie Taylor had an opportunity but Kansky was there again. The second-team All-Northeast Conference selection from a season ago finished with eight saves on the day.

Hanson closed with three shots on goal, while the Beavers’ Jodie Taylor ended with a game-high five shots, four of which were on net.

The Blackbirds travel to Iona on Sunday, Sept. 24 for a non-conference contest beginning at 12:00 p.m.