Cardinals fall to Hornets 2-1 in overtime

WINCHESTER, Va. – CUA saw its three-game win streak come to an end on Tuesday evening as the Cardinals suffered a tough 2-1 loss at Shenandoah in overtime.  After falling behind 1-0 CUA tied things at one only to see Amber Womack score on a penalty kick in the game's 98th minute.

CUA out shot the Hornets 13-7 for the game and had four corner kicks to the home team's two.  Reigning Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Week Christina Cassidy sent back one shot in goal for the Cardinals, while Shenandoah goalkeeper Kat Terza stopped eight shots.

The teams traded shots in the early going, with each squad taking two in the first 20 minutes of action.  Shenandoah struck first when Lauren Morris beat Cassidy off a feed from Sarah Hensley to make it a 1-0 game at the 20:28 mark.

CUA came right back and had a great chance at the 23-minute mark, but Mary McGann's attempt hit the crossbar and the score remained 1-0.

A little less than three minutes later the Cardinals got the equalizer they were looking for when Courtney Orgill scored off an assist from Lauren Cadott to tie things at one.

The remainder of the half was fairly quiet with CUA totaling just two shots and Shenandoah credited with only one.  That sent the teams into halftime still tied at one.

Ten minutes into the second half, Carolyn Girandola took the first shot, but her attempt was saved by Terza.  Four minutes later Stephanie Burns took a shot for CUA, but it was high.

Nearly 30 minutes would go by before either team took another shot, which came at the 84:49 mark by the Cardinals' Kelly Donnelly, but it sailed wide.  Less than two minutes later Caitlin Brett went looking for the game-winner, but Terza came up with the save.

Shenandoah's Kelsey Pendleton took the final shot of regulation at the 87:44 mark, but Cassidy stepped up and made the save, sending the game into overtime.

CUA controlled the action in the extra session, as the Cardinals were awarded two corner kicks and took three shots in the first six minutes.  CUA was unable to capitalize however, and soon after the Cardinals were whistled for a foul near their own goal, setting up a penalty kick.

Womack stepped up for the attempt and was able to beat Cassidy for the score, lifting the Hornets to a dramatic win on their home turf.

The Cardinals will be back in action on Thursday afternoon when CUA plays host to Eastern Mennonite at CUA Soccer Field.  Game time is slated for 4:00.