BEXLEY, Ohio - Jessie Thiessen's goal with 50 seconds left lifted the Gators to a 2-1, comeback win over #14 Capital in the final game of the Crusader Invitational.
After ceding a Capital goal with 11 minutes left in regulation,
Brianna Layman's corner kick goal tied it up, before Thiessen posted her second game-winning goal of the week to extend Allegheny's winning streak to three games.
In the first half, both teams had scoring chances, but couldn't seal the deal, as the Gators posted seven first-half shots and the Crusaders five. The Gators were also granted the all four first half corner kicks. Allegheny had its best chance of the opening stanza in the 16th minute, but shots from
Greta Hilbrands and
Tori Delzer were denied. Crusader keeper Kim Leitch made three saves in the first half, while the Gators'
Gabby Curtis had two.
The Gators received the first two big scoring chances in the second half, posting a pair of shots in the 63rd minute, but it was Capital that drew first blood, as Shelby Johnson gave the hosts a 1-0 lead, assisted by Becca Cartmill, with 25 minutes left in regulation.
Allegheny looked to regain the momentum, tallying two shots and a corner kick over the next 10 minutes, before Layman lofted a corner kick into the box, which deflected off of a Capital defender and past Leitch to tie the game with 11:04 remaining in regulation.
The Crusaders looked to counter, but the Gators blocked a pair of shots with just over five minutes left. With 50 seconds left on the clock, the Gators then stunned the home crowd, as Thiessen sent a blast from just inside the box and past Leitch to seal the win. It marked Thiessen's third goal in as many games, and her second game-winner of the week, after scoring in overtime in a 1-0 win at John Carroll on Wednesday.
The Gators ended the day with a 14-12 advantage in shots, led by four apiece from Thiessen and Hilbrands. Allegheny also had an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.
Allegheny will return to action on Wednesday afternoon, opening the home portion of its schedule with a 4:30 p.m. match against visiting Grove City College at the Robertson Athletic Complex.
