Brevard, N.C. – The Southern Virginia University women's soccer team battled Brevard College to a dramatic 2-2 draw Saturday afternoon, scoring in the final 20 seconds to keep its USA South regular-season championship hopes alive against the conference's second-place team.
The Knights came out strong, earning an early corner kick and a shot on goal from McKenna Currey. After a tightly contested opening stretch, Southern Virginia broke through in the 37th minute when Savannah James scored directly from a corner kick to give the Knights a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Goalkeeper Chloë Miller recorded three crucial saves in the first half to preserve the advantage. The teams were even at seven shots apiece at the break, while Southern Virginia held a 3-0 edge in corner kicks.
The Knights continued to press after halftime, creating opportunities through Currey, Estee Schneider and Lottie Smith but were unable to extend their lead. Brevard eventually found the equalizer on a penalty kick to make it 1-1.
The Tornados then took the lead on a free kick following a card, with the ball sailing into the box before a favorable bounce and finish put Brevard ahead 2-1.
Facing a late deficit, Southern Virginia turned up the pressure. The Knights held a 6-1 advantage in shots over the final 16 minutes and continued to earn corner kicks as time dwindled.
With just 20 seconds remaining, the Knights found their breakthrough. On a late corner kick delivered by James, Addison Bowcutt scored the equalizer to secure the 2-2 draw and keep Southern Virginia in contention for the conference regular-season title.
Southern Virginia finished with a 16-13 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in corner kicks. Both teams recorded five saves.
The Knights move to 6-0-2 in USA South play, with the regular-season championship and tournament seeding still to be decided. A win or draw against Mary Baldwin in the regular-season finale would guarantee Southern Virginia the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the conference tournament.
Southern Virginia will host the Fighting Squirrels on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. for its final regular-season match. The USA South Tournament begins Saturday, Oct. 31.
For more updates and details on the women's soccer team, follow @knight_wsoc on Instagram and visit knightathletics.com.
