Radford, Va. -- Radford and Liberty (5-9-1, 4-2-1 Big South) battled to a 1-1 draw this evening from Patrick D. Cupp Memorial on senior night for the Highlanders. The tie clinches the third seed for Radford (10-6-2, 5-1-2 Big South) at next week’s Big South Conference Tournament in Charleston, S.C. The Lady Flames currently are in fourth and host Charleston Southern in a battle for fourth tomorrow in Lynchburg.
After a scoreless first half, Radford took a 1-0 lead 5:07 into the second half on Jonita Hooker’s (Woodbridge, Va.) team leading 11th goal of the season. The play was set up as senior Nikki Porter (Maryville, Tenn.) chipped the ball to Hooker, who settled it and fired to right of LU keeper Sonia Rodriguez from 12 yard out. The assist by Porter moves her into fourth at Radford with 22. It also moved her to one point shy (102) of Missy Gaitka for second in career points.
A header by Lady Flame Ashley Braam in the 69th minute tied the match at one. She scored after receiving a short cross in the box from Lauren Zealand and heading it home from in close.
In the first overtime, both teams had excellent chances to win the match. Liberty controlled the first five minutes of the extra frame and almost came away with the win, but a shot by Zealand headed for the upper right corner was saved by a leaping Tara Oleartchick (Woodbridge, Va.) in the 93rd minute. Oleartchick finished the match with five saves.
The momentum shifted to Radford as they possessed the ball for almost the final five minutes of the first OT. The Highlanders best opportunity came with 1:23 left as Porter just missed from in close off two nice touches from sophomore Lindsey Pendergraph (Woodbridge, Va.) and Hooker. The second overtime, Liberty managed two shots and Radford one with each keeper making saves on long shots.
The Lady Flames out shot Radford, 14-13 and had a commanding 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. Rodriguez finished the match with seven saves for Liberty.
In its final regular season match, Radford honored their five seniors in a pregame ceremony. Porter, Jamie Branson (Sterling, Va.), Debbie Leach (Olney, Md.), 
Erin Crane (Midlothian, Va.) and Kristin Smith (Herndon, Va.) were presented with flowers and framed uniforms prior to the match.
Radford will head to Charleston, S.C. and Blackbaud Stadium for the Big South Tournament to be held Nov. 4-6. The Highlanders opponent has yet been determined. The Lady Flames close out their regular season tomorrow at 2 p.m. when they host Charleston Southern.
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