TAMPA - As Friday night turned into Saturday morning, it was the same story all over again. For the second consecutive game, the FIU women's soccer team endured a double overtime contest, this time tying USF , 0-0.
The Golden Panthers (1-1-2) were forced to wait more than two hours after lightning delayed the UCF-LSU matchup preceding their game, but the delay did little to slow down their drive. FIU took 20 shots throughout the night, including three shots on goal in the two overtime periods.
"When you're talking about a two-hour delay and starting a game at 10 o'clock at night, it makes things tough," Coach Thomas Chestnutt said. "With the delay and the double overtime and the home crowd, our players really didn't let it get to them. They came out and got on it early and I think that was important in taking the crowd out of the game."
Sophomore goalkeeper Melanie Raimo came up with three key saves in extra minutes and 11 saves for the night.
"I think she did a great job," Chestnutt said. "For the most part she was under control. She did a good job organizing the back and that just made things easier for her. Like I said last game, we have two very capable goalkeepers. Last week it was Kaitlyn (Savage) who got us through double overtime and tonight it was Mel."
Chestnutt also said he thought the back line served the Golden Panthers well.
"Victoria Miliucci and Katrina Rose were good tonight. They kept things going," he said.
In the first 15 minutes, FIU took five cracks at the goal. The first two shots were saved by USF keeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi before Deana Rossi's shot sailed just high of the net. Rossi attempted two more shots on goal soon after, but she couldn't find her way beyond Lofton-Malachi.
Toward the end of the half, USF (1-1-1) went on the attack with two shots but Raimo was there to record the first of many saves .
The Golden Panthers came out firing again after the break, however both Kassandra Sorzano's shot and Madeleine Hjorth-Stalgren's header went wide. The Bulls responded with three shots in the next three minutes and all failed to find the back of the net.
The Golden Panthers nearly scored with 28 minutes remaining when Sorzano shot from inside the box, but the ball hit the crossbar. FIU refused to relent as Marina Pappas and Hjorth-Stalgren each fired toward the goal but came up short.
With 10 minutes to go, Raimo stayed strong with two more saves after USF took control. FIU nearly got the last word in the final 30 seconds when Rossi and Thaisa Moreno each tried to seal the game but the game went into overtime.
Raimo proved to be the hero again in double overtime, coming up with two saves off shots from inside the box with two minutes to go. Kaley Durrance looked to lift FIU to victory with a last-second shot but once again Lofton-Malachi thwarted her effort.
"We're showing some very good moments, and we just need to be a bit more consistent in our play," Chestnutt said. "Consistency can be a problem early in the season but we have to get past it."
FIU continues play in the tournament on Sunday at 2:30 against UCF.
