MORROW, Ga. – The Lincoln Memorial University women's soccer team fought valiantly from two-nil down Wednesday afternoon in the Peach State, salvaging a draw against the Lakers of Clayton State in extra time, concluding 110 minutes of action. The Lady Railsplitters have now extended their away unbeaten streak to seven-consecutive matches, a run dating back to the fall of 2019.
 
Preseason First Team All-South Atlantic Conference selection Jessica Cravero was on the score sheet for her third goal in consecutive matches to begin the 2021 fall campaign, scoring the first of the Lady Railsplitters' finishes on the afternoon.
 
After bagging a brace in Sunday's season opener, senior Rachel Taylor continued her ruthless streak, assisting both goals for LMU against Clayton State. Defender Mariana Diaz was credited with an assist on the Lady Railsplitters' opening goal, continuing her superb service from the back.
 
Last season's all-conference honorable mention, sophomore Merel Houweling, found a late equalizer in the second half Wednesday to seal a draw for Carr's squad.
 
"We started the game a bit flat and after going down two goals early on, we only made it more difficult for ourselves to take something away from the game. I am proud of the way the group responded and continued to get back into the game, and nearly won it on a couple occasions late in the match," head coach Matt Carr said. "A lot of lessons were learned today, and hopefully our good character shined through with a fair result."
 
LMU struggled out of the gates Wednesday afternoon, as the Lakers found two quick end products to take a massive advantage in the contest. The Lady Railsplitters gained momentum as the match progressed, and defender Mariana Diaz's excellent service playing from the back was rewarded in the 30th minute. The graduate student's well-timed ball into the box bounced around off a couple defenders, before senior Rachel Taylor poked it to Cravero, who calmy tucked a left-footed strike in the far-post.
 
The match's play slowed out of the gates in the second half, until Rachel Taylor found sophomore Merel Houweling for the game's equalizing finish in the 72nd minute. The sophomore Dutch native opened her scoring account up for the season, as Taylor tallied her first assist of the season, after finishing a pair against Bluefield State.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Isabelle Zukaitis saved the game for the Lady Railsplitters, as Clayton State was awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. The Kansas native pushed the penalty to her left, before the LMU defense consecutively saved three shots off the line to ensure the match's progression to extra time.
 
Rachel Taylor had the best opportunity for either side in the final 20 minutes of golden goal action, placing a well-hit strike from outside the box into the Laker's keeper who did well to keep the game alive. LMU and Clayton State played to stalemate in the final 10-minute period.
 
Up Next
 
The Lady Railsplitters return home to the LMU Soccer Complex Friday evening to take on West Virginia State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST.

How to Follow
 
Stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms - @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram, for complete coverage of Lady Railsplitter soccer across the 2021 season.