ASHLAND, Ohio - The Drury women's soccer Panthers fell 2-1 to Ashland in overtime Thursday night in a non-conference match that ended with a controversial goal at the buzzer in the Eagles' first-ever night game at Ferguson Field.
Ashland's Ashley Dragos headed the ball into the net for the apparent game-winner after the horn sounded at the end of the first 10-minute overtime period, a goal that was originally waved off by the on-field referee.
After a brief deliberation at the scorer's table, according to DU coach Alf Bilbao, the official returned to declare that the goal had indeed counted, sending Ashland to a 1-0 start while the Panthers fell to 0-1.
"We didn't play to our potential in the first half," Bilbao said. "We had a dominating performance in the second half, but you can't expect to win playing just half a match."
After the Eagles took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break on a goal by Alicia Van Zanten at 11:29, DU junior Nicole Williams scored Drury's lone goal with 22:30 left in regulation off an assist from freshman Lindsey Sprouse to tie the contest at 1-all and eventually force overtime.
Drury outshot the Eagles 12-6 for the game, including 11-1 in the second half. The Panthers did not get off a shot in the overtime.
The Panthers will continue their season-opening, three-game road trip at Tiffin (Ohio) in a 2 p.m. (CST) start.
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