JOHNSTOWN, Pa. --- The Golden Eagle soccer team dominated possession and shots on goal, but Clarion was forced to settle for a draw in tying Pitt-Johnstown 0-0 on Wednesday afternoon. The better of the opportunities – including all seven shots on goal – went the way of the Golden Eagles, but they were not able to solve goalkeeper Sachi Negri through 90 minutes.
Conversely, though, the Mountain Cats were unable to crack the code of the Clarion defense, as UPJ was unable to push any shots on goalkeeper
Alex Velez. Playing in one of her best stretches of the season, Velez has recorded two shutouts in her past three games and three in her past five. She was not severely tested in this one, though, as the back line defense did an excellent job keeping the Mountain Cats at bay.
The offense came fast and furious for the Golden Eagles early in the game, with
Marisa Colondrillo pumping shot after shot toward the Mountain Cat net in the first 11 minutes of action.
Iliana Calcamuggio had a golden chance in the 10
th minute, but her shot struck the crossbar and kept Clarion off the scoreboard.
Neither side got much going in the middle portion of the half, though
Alayna Wicker listed a shot toward net in the 34
th minute that sailed high. It was not until the early portion of the second half that more offense started percolating, starting with a long shot by
Jaci Bowser that Negri played on the bounce.
A yellow card on UPJ's Maura Carey in the 79
th minute set off a flurry of corner kicks for the Golden Eagles, with Clarion having three straight in the span of three minutes.
Alexis Moyer was able to manufacture one more chance against Negri in the final minute of play, but Negri pulled it in to preserve the draw.
With the draw, Clarion extended their unbeaten streak to three straight games, with a win against California (Pa.) on Oct. 12 and two consecutive ties. The Golden Eagles have earned a point in four of the last five games.
