by Noah Grant/Sports Director/@noahgrant_23

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State women’s soccer was 34 seconds away from opening NSIC play with a win on Friday night.

Dina Polanco, however, had other plans. The UMary sophomore scored twice in the final minutes as the Marauders erased a two-goal deficit and earned a 2-2 draw. Both teams now sit at 1-1-2 on the season.

St. Cloud opened the scoring in the 11th minute with excellent ball movement in the attacking third. Junior Darby Allen found junior Emma Gott with room to work on the right wing. Gott drove into the penalty area and crossed onto the foot of junior Gabby Hofeld who deflected it by the UMary keeper.

The goal was reviewed but would hold up, giving Hofeld her first goal of the season. 

The rest of the opening frame saw plenty of chances for the Marauders, who poured seven shots towards the net of senior goalkeeper Jaylee Strickland. Two of those were on target and forced saves from Strickland, who was sharp throughout the match. 

The Huskies would take the 1-0 lead to halftime and came out to start the second with plenty of momentum. Just over two and half minutes in, Allen played a beautiful through ball for sophomore Laney Haviland who tucked it in for her third goal of the year. 

SCSU kept the pressure on and looked in control. With 24 minutes to play, senior Cady Compton had a look to make 3-0. Her thunderous shot ricocheted off the crossbar and was initially called a goal on the field. After another review, however, it was determined the ball did not cross the line.

The intensity ramped up from the Marauders as the game approached the final stages. With just under five minutes to go, Chloe Brand flicked a ball into the penalty area for Polanco, who took a touch and directed the ball by Strickland to bring the Marauders within one. 

With 34 seconds remaining, Polanco was racing for a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and was fouled by a Huskies defender. Again, the officials went to review to determine if a penalty or a free kick outside the 18-yard box should be awarded. Polanco was given the penalty and made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball into the left side of the net to even the score.

Polanco now has five goals already this season, the most in the NSIC. Two of her four matches have been multi-goal games. 

Neither side could find a winner in the final seconds, and the game ended in a draw. The Huskies remain at home on Sunday as they welcome in the Minot State Beavers at 1 p.m. Reece Powell will have the call on the KVSC Sports Stream.

Photo Credit: SCSU Athletics