LAKELAND, Wis – Today's match was a stark contrast from last season's contest between the Mount Mary University and Lakeland College. Last season the Muskies took the match 10-0 over the Blue Angels, tonight's affair ended in a 2-2 tie on Lakeland's field.
The second tie for MMU (2-7-2) this season, but this was in true comeback fashion. Quickly, the Muskies (2-10-1) applied the offensive pressure blasting 14 shots in the first 45 minutes. Luckily for Blue Angels faithful, Becky Onan (Fr./Grafton, Wis) turned away all but one, ending the first period 1-0 Lakeland.
The defense and Onan continued to deter the Muskies shots, but in the 71st minute Lakeland smacked in their second goal making it 2-0. Enough was enough for MMU, the openings offensively were very limited, but the very next play off of the kickoff Ashley Lehnen (Fr./Sussex, Wis.) broke away and found Emily Ristow (Jr./Sheboygan, Wis.) who promptly unloaded MMU's first goal of the night.
In just about 90 seconds from the first Blue Angels score, Ristow got to break away again, this time off of a pass from newcomer Ana Aguilera (Milwaukee, Wis.). Getting past the defense with her speed, Ristow hit another quick score making it 2-2. Ristow got a whole of three shots today, which makes the sabermetricians wonder what could have happened today with just a few more opportunities for the junior.
The tie against a solid Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference team coincided with the return of Onan to the goal. The timing was great, Onan saved 24 shots on goal from Lakeland, and adds to her impressive 133 saves total for the year. Before today's contest, Onan was seventh in the country in saves, and that was after missing almost three whole games at goal.
The match went into double overtime, where MMU could not find any openings going 0-12 in shots against Lakeland. The defense made sure to obstruct and turn each shot away. The frustrations may have gotten to the Muskies as Brianne Frank was issued a yellow card at the 105 minute mark. After the second OT, the contest would be called a 2-2 tie.
Coach Joe Shokatz was impressed with the goal play, "Becky came up huge in the overtime with. Couple huge saves including a rebound off a missed penalty kick."
The team play kept coach Shokatz in good spirits, "This is more what I expected this season. We are capable of playing with anyone on our schedule. But we really lack depth. Emily was amazing and capitalized our limited opportunities and our defense was better."
Now it is time for the Blue Angels to finally return to Mount Mary Field. Sunday Oct. 12th is the date for the return of MMU soccer, kickoff is at 2:00 pm and features Finlandia University for the second time this year.
