Box Score
Normal- In their first conference game against a fellow Southwestern Athletic Conference member, Mississippi Valley State, the Lady Bulldogs earned their first point on a 2-2 double overtime tie.
Friday night's contest saw the 2012 conference champions(MVSU) host the 2012 Eastern Division champions (A&M) under the lights of the R.W. Harrison Complex. The hype did not disappoint, as it was an outright battle and a night of first for the Maroon & White.
It was evident this game would be a classic from the beginning. Going into the game Valley sought revenge and the young-winless Maroon & White sought their first victory. MVSU wished to avenge the one & only conference loss they suffered last season by way of A&M, a 2-nil defeat. The young A&M squad, with the majority playing in their first SWAC game hunted their first victory.
The first 45-minutes of play was a see-saw battle, with the teams trading goals back and forth. A&M started things off capturing their first go-ahead-goal of the season. Estelle Esperance scored her third goal of the year in the eighth minute of play to give A&M their first lead of the year. The lead was then lost as MVSU's Nykosi Simmons shot a ball past Marissa Oehler into the back of the net. The Lady Bulldogs regained the lead on an Andrea Chacon shot in the 30-minute of play. Valley then wasted no time retying the game less than two-minutes later on Simmons' second goal of the season. After the intense action, the teams took the 2-2 tie into the break.
The second half was a fight despite not seeing either team score again. The Maroon & White were outshot 8-2 in the second half. Despite the difference, they kept the scoreboard clean. Regulation time elapsed and the teams remained tied, forcing overtime.
The first overtime period was a very even and aggressive fight with MVSU taking four shots and A&M taking three. Again, neither team scored so a second sudden death overtime period was forced. After the final 10-minute period, the score remained unchanged, and the two teams were forced to settle for a single point and a 2-2 draw.
"It's a great result for our team against the defending conference champions; Valley was playing for their life but trailed thoughout the game, and we came away with a point in the tie," said Head Coach Frank Davies.
The Lady Bulldogs will try again for their first win of the year as they compete against Alcorn State on Sunday, October 6.
