ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Lafayette Women's Soccer team got a goal in the 79th minute and battled first place Navy to a 1-1 draw in a Patriot League match on Wednesday evening at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. 

With just over 10 minutes remaining in a scoreless contest, sophomore midfielder Riley Dowd settled a throw-in from junior Krista Kissell, turned and rocketed a shot past Mids goalkeeper Sydney Fortson. It was the third goal of the season for the Chesapeake, Va. native and looked like a potential game-winner.

Navy was able to get an equalizer with just over three minutes remaining in regulation when a Mids defender sent a deep ball into the Leopards box that glanced off a defender and redirected past a sprawling Natalie Neumann for what was credited as an own goal.

"The players played so hard," head coach Mick Statham said. "They are obviously a bit disappointed to give up the late goal whilst winning, but full credit to them they stayed strong."

The teams battled through two scoreless overtime periods, the second of which included a stoppage of several minutes when the sprinkler system on the field was triggered with five minutes remaining. Lafayette is now 5-4-2 on the season and 1-1-1 in the Patriot League.

It was only the second time in 11 contests that the Mids did not emerge with a win as the only other blemish on their 10-1-1 record was an overtime loss to #24 Louisiana State back in August.

Lafayette finished with nine shots, four of which were on goal, and had two strong stretches of pressure on the Navy defense.  The first came on a trio of good opportunities over a 12-minute span early in the first half. Kissell directed a pass to her left to Sophie Saldivar but the resulting shot was high and several minutes later Ariana Alipratis nearly connected on a pass to Sara Oswald.

One of the best chances came at the 17:41 mark when Rebecca Schreiner was fouled about seven yards beyond the box. Kissell took the ensuing free kick but the attempt sailed wide.  The visitors had another span of chances in the first five minutes of the second half but an opportunity by Saldivar was high and another by Oswald was blocked.

"We played well in the overtime and came away with a hard-earned and important point," Statham said.

The Leopards have another night match this weekend when they take on Patriot League foe Colgate at Beyer-Small '76 Field in a 7 p.m. start.