SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Wayland Baptist University women's soccer showed its resilience on the road Saturday, battling back from three separate one-goal deficits to earn a 3-3 draw against Our Lady of the Lake University.
The Pioneers received goals from Tannia Diaz, Talia Gisonni and Camila Zavala, with Zavala delivering the final equalizer in the 83rd minute to help Wayland secure the draw.
Our Lady of the Lake opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Leah Tapia found the back of the net to put the Saints ahead 1-0. Wayland responded less than nine minutes later. Diaz scored in the 21st minute, bringing the Pioneers level at 1-1.
The Saints regained the advantage in the 38th minute on a goal from Estelle Husband, but once again Wayland had an answer.
Just over two minutes later, Gisonni scored in the 40th minute, sending the teams into halftime tied at 2-2.
OLLU took its third lead of the afternoon in the 57th minute when Husband scored her second goal of the match, putting the Saints ahead 3-2.
Wayland continued to push for another equalizer, and the Pioneers' persistence paid off late in the second half.
In the 83rd minute, Lilly Gansauge connected with Zavala, who finished the opportunity to tie the match at 3-3. The goal was Wayland's third response after falling behind and ultimately secured the road draw.
Wayland finished the match with 10 shots, including seven on goal, while OLLU recorded 17 shots and eight shots on goal. The two teams were even with three corner kicks apiece.
Goalkeeper Ashley Lopez played all 90 minutes for the Pioneers and recorded five saves while facing the Saints' 17-shot attack.
Offensively, Wayland spread its opportunities throughout the lineup. Gabriella Chapa and Zavala each recorded two shots, while Diaz, Gansauge, Erin Carr, Gisonni, Ashley Perez and Alexia Fregoso each added one. Diaz, Zavala and Gisonni accounted for Wayland's three goals, while Gansauge recorded the Pioneers' lone assist.
Head Coach Alex Castaneda had this to say folowing the match:
"I'm really proud of the fight and resilience our team showed. We were tested throughout the match and faced some difficult moments, but we continued to believe in one another and found a way to respond. Battling back and scoring late to earn a result says a lot about the character and mentality of this group. It was a competitive match in a great environment, and I'm proud of the way our players stayed together and competed all the way through the final whistle."
The Pioneers' ability to respond proved to be the story of the match. Wayland trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 at different points but found an equalizer each time to come away from San Antonio with a result.
Wayland will return to action Tuesday, Sept. 22, when the Pioneers travel to Austin, TX to take on Huston Tillotson University at 1:00 p.m.
