Photo Gallery
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College and Armstrong State University battled to a 1-1 double overtime draw in a Peach Belt Conference women's soccer match Saturday (Sept. 24) afternoon at the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field.
The Mountain Lions improved to 3-0-3 overall and to 2-0-1 in the Peach Belt, while the No. 20-ranked Pirates fell to 5-1-1 and 2-0-1. The Mountain Lions travel to Dahlonega, Georgia, for a 5 p.m. PBC match Wednesday (Sept. 27) against cross-mountain rival and No. 8 University of North Georgia in the annual Battle of Blood Mountain match.
The three ties in a season are the most in the program's history in the NCAA era for Young Harris. It was the first time in the NCAA era of the program that the Mountain Lions  earned a draw with a nationally ranked opponents. Young Harris had been winless in the previous 10 matches against nationally ranked foes.
In a physical game that saw 29 fouls and four cautions between the two teams, Young Harris, which had dropped all four previous meetings with Armstrong State, struck first at the 31:19 mark. As she was falling down,
Lucero Robayo passed the ball to
Baylee Roche at the top of the box. Roche, who has two goals this season, took a couple dribbles and fired the ball over the Armstrong State goalkeeper's head and into the left corner of the net.
Armstrong State nearly had an equalizer less than a minute later as Casey Couch's shot seemed destined for the goal, but YHC defender
Amber Matthews cleared the ball off the line. The Pirates had another chance to tie the match in the opening minutes of the second half,but Young Harris goalkeeper - and reigning PBC Goalkeeper of the Week -
Nicole Medeiros stopped Ashley Green's penalty kick. Green tried to put her shot just inside the left post, but Medeiros, who had nine saves, collected the ball.
The Pirates finally tied the match at 1 at the 65:57 when Jenny Allen converted a second penalty kick opportunity for Armstrong State. It was her fourth goal of the season. The two teams battled through the remainder of the second half and two overtime periods, but neither team was able to score again.
Young Harris held an 18-16 advantage on shots while Armstrong State held an 8-4 edge on corner kicks. Erica Laurens had eight stops for the Pirates in goal.
Â