Kean, MSU Battle to 1-1 Draw in Women's Soccer

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (10/11/06) - Kean sophomore forward Amanda Pitts (Rahway, NJ/Union Catholic) scored in the first half while Montclair State's Kelly Dutko (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) countered with a goal in the second half as the Cougars and Red Hawks battled through a rainy night and a 47-minute lightning delay before finishing in a 1-1 draw in NJAC Women's Soccer action at Sprague Field.

Kean moved to 9-3-1 with the deadlock, 3-3-1 in the NJAC while Montclair State goes to 8-4-2 overall, 3-1-2 in the conference.

Playing through a pouring rain throughout most of the game, Kean put four shots on goal in the first 19-plus minutes, the best chance coming at the 19:17 mark as Kelly Rigano (Scotch Plains, NJ/SP-Fanwood) headed a ball in front of the net that MSU goalkeeper Kristin Kuhmann (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River South) made a stop on. Kuhmann made four saves in the opening period while Nicole Groszew (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) made one as she denied a Natalia Sisti (Lincoln Park, NJ/DePaul) shot 13:15 into the contest.

Pitts would put Kean on the board with 2:40 before halftime as she netted her first goal of the season. Settling a ball at the 20-yard line, Pitts lofted a shot that just beat the outstretched arms of Kuhmann into the top left corner as Kean led 1-0 at intermission.

In the second half, Kuhmann helped keep the game at a goal with four more saves and the Red Hawks would respond as Dutko collected her second goal of the year. Off the direct kick, Dutko left-footed the ball from the right side and bent the shot just inside the near post tying the game at 78:15.

Shortly afterward the game was delayed for the 47 minutes with neither team getting a chance to win the contest in regulation.

In the first overtime, Kean nearly won the game in the closing seconds of the period as Heather Anzivino (Belford, NJ/Middletown North) headed a shot off a corner kick that clanked off the far post with six seconds to play. The Cougars, who out shot MSU 6-0 in the two extra periods, then got a golden opportunity in the final 10 minutes. With 40 seconds remaining, Pitts and Kuhmann each raced after a loose ball deep inside the Montclair end. Pitts would get a foot on the ball, however Kuhmann was able to deflect the shot at the top of the box.

Kuhmann made nine saves for the Red Hawks, who were outshot in the game, 20-9. Groszew had two saves.

Kean is off until Tuesday, October 17 when they host sixth-ranked Western Connecticut State at 7:30 pm. Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, October 14 as they travel to New Jersey City University for a 1:00 pm matchup.