Charlotte Lady Eagles News Release -- www.charlotteeagles.com
Saturday, July 5, 2014
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Lady Eagles got a huge stoppage-time equalizer to earn a point against the Gulf Coast Texans as the teams played to a 1-1 draw at the Queens Sports Complex on Saturday evening. The result set up a showdown between the Eagles and Carolina Elite Cobras in the final game of the regular season next Saturday night at the Queens Sports Complex.
The first half started off with both teams keeping good amounts of possession in each end, and there were a number of opportunities for both teams. Gulf Coast midfielder Happy Orere-Amadu had a pair of shots, but just couldn’t find the net as her efforts went just wide of the Lady Eagles goal both times.
Charlotte's Leah Fortune had a good chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute when her turnaround shot was swallowed up by Gulf Coast goalkeeper Carrie Crook. The two teams went into halftime scoreless.
Coming back for the second half the teams started evenly and continued to retain equal possession. Gulf Coast took the lead in the 52nd minute, however, when a ball was swung in from out wide. Lady Eagles defender Valorie O’Brien almost cleared it out, but Maria Jose-Rojas was able to head the ball into the left side of the goal behind Charlotte goalkeeper Robyn Jones.
The Lady Eagles turned up the pressure looking for the equalizer and it arrived in stoppage time. Fortune served in a corner kick and Amanda Naeher’s header found the back of the net to even the score. Robyn Jones made a number of huge saves as Gulf Coast countered with some late momentum to keep the game even.
Charlotte will return home next weekend as the Carolina Elite Cobras come to town in a match that may decide the Southeastern Conference title. The Lady Eagles will need victory to earn a place in the W-League Playoffs as they sit two points behind both the Elite Cobras and Texans entering the final contest. Tickets are now on sale at www.charlotteeagles.com.