Blue Raiders Overtime Bout With Belmont Ends in 1-1 Draw

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Blue Raider freshman Salera Jordan netted her second goal of 2016 early in the second half to give Middle Tennessee a 1-1 draw against Belmont Sunday evening.

It was the first time Middle went into overtime in the 2016 season after playing in six overtime contests a season ago.

Belmont had a bulk of the shots in the match with 18 to MT’s 12 while also leading shots on goal 9-4.

Jordan had a number of dangerous runs in the game playing in a more forward role compared to her typical midfield position, ending the match with a pair of shots with one on goal. Angie Lai and Haley Nishimoto matched Jordan with a pair of shots each while both notched a shot on goal.

Freshman keeper Sydney Chalcraft logged eight saves in the contest, matching her career high from the previous match against Lipscomb.

Both teams had a number of good opportunities early in the game, but the goalies stood their ground through the first 20 minutes.

Belmont was able to break through in the 22nd minute when a corner kick bounced around the box before Anna Brock Hawkins poked it into the back of the net.

The early barrage on goal slowed after the opening score as the teams combined for just four more shots the remainder of the half.

Middle Tennessee came out of halftime pressuring Belmont emphatically and it paid off early when Courteney Gibson played a ball into the box that released Salera Jordan into a one-on-one with the Belmont keeper which she converted to tie the match, 1-1.

The Blue Raiders continued to be the more physical and impressive side in the second half, winning a large number of challenges and smothering multiple chances the Bruins had moving forward.

MT had what looked like cause for a penalty kick in the 73rd minute but after the referees waved it off the Raiders recovered the ball, giving Abbie Brown a chance that sliced wide of the near post.

After the full 90 minutes ran off the clock with the game tied, 1-1, the Raiders moved into overtime for the first time in 2016.

Both teams had a share of threatening attacks in the first overtime period but neither were able to secure a golden goal, forcing a second overtime period.

Middle had one last chance with under 10 seconds left in double overtime that saw Charlotte Van Ishoven drill one off the crossbar that Jordan finished off, only to be called for offsides and end the contest in a draw.

Middle Tennessee remains at home for their next contest as they take on Tennessee Tech Friday at 7:00 p.m.

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