Battle Tested: Sea Gulls force tie with No. 22 Rowan University

Salisbury, Md. - The Salisbury women's soccer team hosted No. 22 Rowan University on Wednesday, Sept. 15, and battled the Owls to a 0-0 tie in a double overtime match where neither side was able to achieve a decisive advantage. The SU tie moved the Sea Gulls' record to 2-1-2 on the season.

Salisbury sophomore forward Sarah Jessilonis (Pasedena, Md.) accounted for seven of SU's 14 shots. Two of the Sea Gulls' best scoring opportunities were provided by senior defender Hillary Grove (Hagerstown, Md.) who hit the crossbar twice with near misses. SU's freshman goalkeeper Melissa Orgera (Arnold, Md.) had four saves in the match. Orgera's sprawling save in the 71st minute denied Rowan's Melanie Wittenberger's breakaway shot and helped preserve the Sea Gulls chances of victory.

Rowan University (3-1-1) had 14 shots on goal, five of which were taken by sophomore forward Veronica Rhea. Junior midfielder Holly Bundy followed with four shots. The Owls' sophomore goalie Jillian Brannan made a critical save in the 80th minute to deny an onrushing Jessilonis a scoring opportunity, and a potential Salisbury victory.    

The Sea Gulls will next travel to Stevenson University to play the Mustangs on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2:30 p.m., in their Capital Athletic Conference opener.