Sawa's late goals lead to 3-3 draw with CIU

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (October 8, 2022) – The Milligan University women's soccer team trailed most of the afternoon but a pair of late goals by Ella Sawa helped the Buffs earn a 3-3 draw against Columbia International on Saturday afternoon at Anglin Field.

The Buffs picked up a much-needed point in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings against a quality opponent. Milligan moves to 2-5-2 on the year and 1-5-1 in AAC play. CIU's record now stands at 5-2-3, 3-2-2 AAC.

CIU struck first in the game's seventh minute as the Rams fired a ball from beyond the penalty box into the upper left corner of the goal.

Milligan's first shot came in the 19th minute when Kelsey Miller ran onto a forward pass up the left side. After dribbling around a defender, her right-angles shot was stopped by the CIU goalkeeper.

With 11 minutes to play in the half, Ashlen Burch sent a cross from the left end line across the face of the goal. Shelby Knight ran the ball down on the right post and centered to Autumn Daniels, but Daniels' attempt flew wide right.

Lauren Davies made three first half saves to keep the margin at 1-0 CIU at halftime.

The Rams found another goal early in the second half as the Rams made it a 2-0 lead five minutes into the second half. A cross found an attacking Ram, who tucked a shot inside the right post to extend the visitors' lead.

In the minute after CIU scored, Burch was freed up for a shot on goal and Davies made a diving save on the other end of the field.

Sawa found Miller in the top-right corner of the penalty are in the 61st minute, but Millers' well-struck shot was saved.

The Buffs finally broke through in the 66th minute as Isabella Cranford headed in her first goal of the season off a corner kick from Burch.

CIU extended its lead to 3-1 in the 77th minute, but the Buffs responded less than two minutes later. Burch lined up for another corner kick in the left corner and after a mad scramble, the ball ended up in the back of the net.

The Buffs finally tied the game in the 87th minute after a cross from Miller found its way into the box. The ball deflected off Daniel and Mariah Shull, eventually ending up at the feet of Sawa, who poked it in to even the game at three.

Neither team was able to muster a spot in a hectic final three minutes of regulation.