Kaylee McEnaney’s goal on a penalty kick at the 61:00 mark rallied Caldwell County from a 1-0 deficit and resulted in the Lady Tigers and the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers playing to 1-1 tie Monday night on the pitch at Givens Field. However, it was a tie that was actually a win for UHA at one point earlier in the evening, for a brief moment.
With the Lady Blazers leading at 1-0 in the first half, things took an unusual turn. After a call near the 26:00 mark, the officials ordered the teams off the field, with the match declared “over” due to reported fan behavior on the sidelines. Both teams went to their respective dugouts along the far sideline, and the officials left the field of play.
After some minutes, and discussion among coaches, officials, and game administrators, the decision to end the game was reversed. Fans were given advisories about sideline conduct and play resumed.
UHA had taken the early lead in the match when Kate Cansler scored on a header off a direct kick from near midfield by Grace Pape at the 9:00 mark to put the Lady Blazers up 1-0.
That would be the score as the two teams went to the break. UHA had controlled possession the first part of the half, while Caldwell County seemed to have things going more their way over the final 20 minutes of the half. The Lady Blazers had 13 shots on goal, while the Lady Tigers had 10 in the half.
While both teams had some issues getting their offenses rolling, both teams got big play on the back side from their defenders in the first 40 minutes. And that would continue through the second half as well.
UHA got big plays from Piper Hancock, Emily Hancock, and Michelle Salas. On the other end, Caldwell County’s Kelsie Adams, Hadlee Hall, Avery Ritchie, and goalie Rachel McClung turned back several opportunities from the Lady Blazers in the second half.
Caldwell County finally broke through when a foul was called on UHA in the box at the 61:00 mark. Kaylee McEnaney stepped up and drilled the PK to make it 1-1 with 19 minutes left. Each team had opportunties after that, but could not convert and the match ended in the 1-1 draw.
Caldwell County moves to 6-3-1 on the season. UHA now stands at 5-2-2. The tie was the second straight 1-1 tie for the Lady Blazers against a 7th District team.
