BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - The Bluefield College women's soccer team opened Appalachian Athletic Conference play Wednesday night at the East River Soccer Complex against the Union Bulldogs. For 85 minutes it appeared that the Rams were on track to claim the conference opener, but two Union goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation tied the contest and the teams finished in a 3-3 draw.
Whitney Browning paced the Rams with three goals.
Union's Jessica Austin got the scoring underway, finding the back of the net in the game's sixth minute. BC responded and it was Browning who pulled the Rams even and put them on top. Her first goal in the 17th minute was from point-blank range in front of the goal. She was fed the ball by Megan Norton. Browning gave Bluefield the lead in teh 21st minute on an unassisted goal, and then she scored her third goal in the 28th minute, getting an assist from Victoria Doyle. In a span of just over 10 minutes the Rams went from trailing to having a two-goal advantage which they carried into the intermission.
Amanda Brown had four first half saves in goal for Bluefield, but it was Union who out-shot the Rams 9-5 in the first 45 minutes.
Union pressed in the second half, attempting to erase BC's lead. The Bluefield defense withstood the charge and through the first 30 minutes of the second half maintained its lead.
The Bulldogs broke through in the 80th minute when Austin booted a 20-yard kick over the outstretched arms of Brown to make it 3-2. Union, down one, continued to press and an unfortunate own goal by Bluefield in the 86th minute tied the game at 3. Neither team scored in teh final four minutes and the teams headed to overtime.
In the two extra 10-minute periods neither team scored and the game ended 3-3.
Bluefield's record moved to 2-2-2 and the Rams host Reinhardt in AAC action Saturday afternoon. Union's record now stands at 4-2-2.