WATERBURY, Conn. -- Coming down the stretch of the regular season, every game is essentially a must-win for Post University Women's Soccer who entered the day in 10th overall in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, needing to climb at least two spots to get into playoff positioning. While unable to secure the win, the Eagles came from behind in the second half, earning a 1-1 tie against Caldwell University to keep their hopes alive as they stand three points back of the eighth spot in the conference.

THE BASICS 
Post University 1, Caldwell University 1 

Post University (2-7-3, 1-4-3 CACC)

Caldwell University (5-3-4, 3-1-4 CACC)

HOW IT HAPPENED 
A frustrating first half for the Eagles saw them get outshot 9-1 overall by the Cougars who controlled the tempo, pace, and offensive zone for much of the opening 45 minutes of play. For Post, they would only get one shot on net against sophomore goalkeeper Ariana Gaminara in the 13th minute from senior forward Hailey McGee which was turned away. Freshman goalkeeper Alexis Campbell matched Gaminara's effort, stopping all three shots on net she would face to keep the score tied at zero heading into halftime. 

It was only a matter time before either side would blink and it would be the Eagles who did so first in the 54th minute when senior defender Megan Feehan's corner kick was passed over to junior midfielder Alex Pardo. Pardo would immediately touch pass the ball back to Feehan who lifted a ball over Campbell's head into the far right side of the net, giving the Cougars the lead, 1-0.

The response from the Eagles would be swift over the next 20 minutes or so with Post peppering Gaminara with three shots compared to just one for Caldwell. Senior forward Lydia Asamoah would come up with the clutch goal in the 75th minute that would send the game to its eventual tie as a turnover by the Cougars inside the box wound up on the foot of Asamoah with nothing but grass in front of her which she would use to beat Gaminara one-on-one. 

The goal came just minutes after what looked to be the game-tying goal by senior defender Amber McGee when senior midfielder Sierra Tarantino served a pass across the box to junior forward Tassia Ferreira. Ferreira would head the ball towards the net and Gaminara would come out to make the save before Amber McGee came in to knock it loose and put it in the back of the net. The goal would be waved off, leaving it a 1-0 ballgame before Asamoah's goal. 

That would be the last shot the Eagles would get for the match as Caldwell pounded away at Campbell in hopes of retaking the lead. Junior defender Kayla Willis would nearly do just that with just over a minute remaining when he sliding shot towards Campbell ricocheted off the post and past the end line, preventing the Cougars from taking the lead as the Eagles held on for the 1-1 tie. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

• Despite the large shot margin in the first half, shots would only favor Caldwell 14-10 overall and 6-5 in shots on goal
• After a timid first half of play which saw the Cougars lead in fouls 4-3, an aggressive second half from Caldwell saw them commit 12 fouls to just two for the Eagles for an overall margin of 16-5 
• With her second half goal, Lydia Asamoah became the fourth multi-goal scorer this season with two on the year
• This is the first time since 2006 in which Post University has tied Caldwell at home and first tie overall since 2019 in the head-to-head matchup

WHO'S NEXT 
Post University closes out their 2023 home regular season schedule at noon on Saturday afternoon at LaMoy Field for Senior Day against Goldey-Beacom College. Sitting at 11-11-0 all-time against the Lightning, the Eagles enter the game having won their last matchup against Goldey-Beacom, 3-2, last season, breaking a five-game losing streak against them.