TIFFIN, Ohio - The Dragons picked up a crucial point in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play as Tiffin (8-4-2, 6-3-2) battled to a 1-1 tie with 3rd-ranked Grand Valley State (13-1-2, 10-1-2) Friday afternoon at the Paradiso Athletic Fields.
Grand Valley led 21-9 in total shots and 8-3 in shots on goal, but Tiffin goalie Denise Resende (7-3-2) held with seven saves compared to the Lakers' goalie Chelsea Parise's (13-1-2) two saves.
Both teams had multiple opportunities in the first half with each squad finding the back of the net once. Grand Valley drew first blood at the 18:03 mark when Kristen Eible touched a free kick from 18 yards out that Mruz blasted home inside the left post.
Just more than 10 minutes later, Tiffin recorded the equalizer. Lauren Turkington passed into the box and Jenna Hornyak deflected the ball into the back of the net. It was Hornyak's sixth goal of the year.
The Dragons had a chance to go ahead right before half but an unlucky strike kept the score tied. Stephanie Bowman's shot hit the crossbar and Danielle Eaken's rebound sailed high for a goal kick and a clear for the Lakers.
For the first stanza, Grand Valley outshot Tiffin 9-4 in shots, including 4-2 in shots on target.
Due to a turnover in Grand Valley territory, Tiffin had another chance to take a slim lead late in the second half. After a through ball found Satu Hermunen created a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper 18 yards out on the left side, she dribbled the ball in and shot just wide of the right post in the games 75th minute. Four minutes later, Turkington ripped a shot from 30 yards out that sailed just high.
The second half came to a close with no goals scored.
Both teams could not tally the golden goal in two overtime periods but there was not a shortage of fireworks. With a minute left in the game, the Lakers were awarded a corner. However, Kelsey Fiscus's shot found the left post and Jenna Wenglinski's rebound was grabbed by TU's Resende. Tiffin cleared and the game ended a draw.
Tiffin returns to action Sunday when it hosts Ferris State for senior day. Kickoff is slated for noon.
