Box Score ITTA BENA, Miss. -- The Mississippi Valley State women's soccer team was just 10 minutes away from recording its first win of the season Friday, but an equalizing goal from Jackson State's Haley Rodriguez on the 80:14 minutes mark sent the game into overtime. After a pair of overtimes, the game ended in a 2-2 tie between the Devilettes and the Lady Tigers.
Valley, playing its second consecutive home game, started the game bossing the midfield and giving JSU very little room to operate. Midfield general Haley Hendricks, supported by Ernestina Abambila, Hannah Scott and hard-working Hailey Beekman controlled the game making it difficult for JSU to get their rhythm going.
"The first half was complete football from the engine room (midfield)" said first-year head coach Fabio Boateng. "We dominated the middle making it very difficult for JSU to play their passing game."
Despite the dominance from the Devilettes, it was JSU who recorded the first goal of the game through a corner kick delivered by Jalana Eliis. Ellis' cross from the corner was dealt with poorly by MVSU leading to a goalmouth melee in the 6-yard box of the Devilettes goal area. Alexandra Goutier gifted from the scramble and buried the ball into the almost empty net to break the deadlock on the 16th minute mark.
The Devilettes responded to the temporary setback in an astonished fashion. First, it was the Brazil-born Mariana Balboa who dazzled the fans to some samba soccer. The petite forward received a delicate pass from right back Heather Craddock in the 23rd minute. Balboa side footed JSU defender Rayana Speight before slotting the ball past goal tender Kylie Christian. Valley took the lead five minutes after Balbao's goal. Ever present in midfield, Haley Hendricks received a pass from Alexis Mansoor deep from the defensive area. She then connected with Beekman who played it into the path of Nykosi Simmons to strike a volley home for her third of the season. The score stayed at 2-1 in Valley's favor until half time.
The second half started with JSU on the dangerous side but the central defensive pair of Josee Primeau and Alexis Mansoor curtailed all the offensive forays of the visitors.
"They have played only three games together in the heart of our defense," Boateng said of Primeau and Mansoor. "But you could see the understanding of the duo is fantastic. I see it getting better and better."
With Valley chasing its first victory of the season with 10 minutes of regulation time left, Jackson State spoiled the party when Rodriguez scored a goal to force overtime. Both teams chased the golden goal that never arrived. A scary moment ensued as Eroncia Berry broke loose on the right flank. The speedster found her way behind the MVSU backline but for the timely intervention of Andrea Kennedy, JSU could have caused havoc with just two minutes left in second overtime. Kennedy's tackle was her last play as she was stretched off the field with an injury.
Rita Gyasi ended game with nine saves in 110 minutes.
The Devilettes return to action Sunday at 1 p.m., welcoming Southern University.
