AASU Draws With No. 21 Tusculum; Burton Breaks PBC Goal Record

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Senior Kristin Burton finally has the record, but it was freshman Morgan Mitchell who had the critical strike as the Armstrong Atlantic State women's soccer team earned a 2-2 draw with No. 21-ranked Tusculum on Monday afternoon at AT&T Field.

The Pirates (10-3-3) snapped their two-match losing streak with the draw, while also now tying Tusculum (12-3-1) in two consecutive matches. Both teams, going into the match ranked No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, in the region remain in contention for the NCAA Championships.

Tusculum struck first in the match as Tramicka James took a through ball from Kayla Durden, dribbled around AASU keeper Tracey Mitchell and scored in the 11th minute to put the Pioneers up, 1-0.

Just over a minute later, a Tusculum foul set the Pirates up with a free kick to the right of the goal. Burton bent the free kick into the net for her Peach Belt Conference record-breaking 84th goal of her career, snapping a tie she had with Olaitan Yusuf of Clayton State, but more importantly evening up the match at 1-1.

Tusculum took the 2-1 lead into intermission thanks to a fantastic service from Michelle Meade, who found James on the back post for an uncontested header in the 36th minute. AASU outshot the Pioneers, 16-7, in the first half, but Tusculum goalkeeper Marjaana Kaaresvirta made six saves in net and the Pioneers also cleared two balls of the line with their field players to keep the one-goal advantage.

In the second half it was more of the same from Kaaresvirta as she made four saves, including a diving stab of a Kristina Pascutti header in the 73rd minute, to keep the Pioneers in front.

The equalizer came in the 87th minute from a corner kick by Erin O'Rourke, that found the head of Mitchell, beating Kaaresvirta for the game-tying goal. Each team had one shot after that goal in regulation, but the score remained tied at 2.

In the first overtime period, the Pirates nearly won it in the 100th minute. Burton's free kick from 28 yards out was saved by Kaaresvirta, but the rebound found the foot of Þórdís Pétursdóttir with a wide open net. Pétursdóttir's shot went high and wide, however, and the game entered a second overtime period.

The golden chance of the second overtime came in the 108th minute as a foul on the Pirates set up the Pioneers with a free kick, but AASU's defense turned away the attempt, and the draw was assured.

AASU held a 28-12 edge in shots in the match, with Kaaresvirta making a career-high 12 saves in net for Tusculum and Pirate keeper Tracey Mitchell making a pair of saves. AASU held a slim 10-8 edge in corner kicks, with Tusculum being whistled for 11 fouls and AASU committing nine.

Burton's career numbers now stand at a PBC-leading 84 goals and 198 points, while she is still five shy of the all-time PBC record in assists with 30 (35 - Katie Roberts, FMU).

Prior to the match, the Pirates honored their three seniors - Burton, Kayley Ralton and Samantha Held. Those three were joined by their parents on the field - see the picture below!

The Pirates return to action on Saturday, October 24, with a 6:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference match at UNC Pembroke.