Final Score: Lipscomb 1, North Florida 1
Location: Jacksonville, FL. (Hodges Stadium)
Records: Lipscomb: 7-3-3 (3-1-2 ASUN), North Florida: 5-3-6 (2-1-3 ASUN)
The Bisons fought hard after a slow first half against the North Florida Ospreys on the road to draw 1-1 late in the match.
Entering the match, Lipscomb and North Florida were neck-and-neck in the ASUN rankings at fourth and fifth, respectively. The Ospreys entered the match coming off a draw with Austin Peay while Lipscomb was looking to ride the high of their win against Jacksonville.
Offensively, both squads got off to a slow start with no shots being recorded until the 16' minute when Pralle attempted to score against the Ospreys. Not long after, North Florida scored the first goal of the match in the 17' minute. The ball soared over the keeper's head and found the back of the net to put the Ospreys up over the Bison.
The Bisons were only able to record five shots in the first half with four being on goal, one opportunity coming from a set piece. Entering the match Lipscomb was averaging just under 9.5 shots per half, leading the ASUN in shots this season. Despite their shots being below average, the Bisons found several opportunities to score but couldn't quite find the connection.
Lipscomb entered the second half of the match with an extra tenacity, attacking the goal early on. Bisons goalkeeper
Kaïna Cesar was able to keep the Bisons in the game in the 61' minute, despite remaining scoreless. Cesar prevented the Ospreys from going up two scores on a fast break opportunity.
Taylor James and
Kiara Pralle both found opportunities to nearly tie the Bisons up in the 73' minute and 79' minute, respectively, but both just barely missed the net. James was able to rocket the ball toward the goal outside of the keeper's reach but was stopped by the left goalpost. Pralle's shot landed on the of the net, just high enough to miss the goal.
In the 82' minute
Bella Carapazza was finally able to convert a goal for Lipscomb on a set piece in the center circle. The Osprey's keeper attempted to swat the ball out of the goal but was unable to, allowing Carapazza to score the equalizer and prevent a loss.
Maddy Rhodes drew a yellow card in the final minute of play, providing the Bisons with another opportunity to score and win the match. Pralle's shot was blocked by a defender and provided a Lipscomb corner kick. The Bisons scrambled to set up and found Rhodes for a header, but were unable to convert the score, resulting in a draw.
Lipscomb's defense was able to limit the amount of scoring opportunities that North Florida could create throughout the match. The Ospreys only recorded two shots before the final buzzer, thanks to Lipscomb's backfield trio of
Paige Archbold,
Alivia Carapazza, and
Lucy Ream.
The Bisons forced five saves on 20 shots in the second half alone. Lipscomb's offense was led by
Bella Carapazza with one goal on five shots, three on goal, and
Kiara Pralle with nine shots, two on goal.
The Bisons will return home to Nashville to host FGCU on Oct. 10
th and 6:00 PM CT.
