WOMEN’S SOCCER

Despite dominating play and generating an overwhelming margin in offensive chances on Saturday afternoon at King Stadium, the Huntington University women’s soccer team was forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Cleary University following an unfortunate own goal in the 90th minute.

The result moves the Foresters to 4-0-1 on the season, marking the program’s first non-win of the year after a historic four-game winning streak to start the campaign. Cleary moved to 1-3-2 overall, with all three of its previous defeats coming against Crossroads League opponents (Saint Francis, Goshen, and Mount Vernon Nazarene).

Huntington dictated the tempo from the opening whistle, outshooting the Cougars 21-10 overall, 13-8 in shots on goal, and earning an 11-5 advantage in corner kicks.

The Foresters broke through in the 31st minute when Sophie Shepherd threaded a pass forward into open space for Payton Toth. Toth drove into a 1v1 duel against the Cougar goalkeeper and slotted a clinical finish to give HU a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.

Cleary equalized shortly into the second half in the 49th minute when Ashley Stover finished a feed from Madisyn Smith. Just over six minutes later, Huntington recaptured the lead with a moment of brilliance on a restart well outside the penalty box. Anastasiia Edemskaia lined up the free kick and lofted a dipping strike over a three-player Cleary wall, curling the ball cleanly over the keeper to notch her first collegiate goal at the 54:14 mark.

Huntington continued to pressure and looked poised to close out the victory, but heartbreak struck with just 52 seconds remaining in regulation (89:08) when an HU own goal allowed Cleary to level the score at 2-2.

Goalkeeper Breann Cory earned the draw in net for the Foresters, turning aside five of the seven shots on goal she faced across the full 90 minutes, supported by a key team defensive save from Jianna Simons. Cleary keeper Sara Mecomber recorded 11 saves to keep the Cougars within striking distance.

Up Next
The Foresters return to action on Wednesday, traveling to Crestwood High School to face Michigan-Dearborn at 5:00 p.m.