The NAIA's No. 21-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team twice overcame one-goal second-half deficits to score a 2-2 draw at Union University, a NCAA Division II opponent, on Monday afternoon in Jackson, Tennessee.

The Grizzlies (4-1-3) are now unbeaten over their last four matches.

Senior Victoria Watson tied the match with 36 seconds remaining on a goal following a scramble in front of the opposing net. The tally was set up by a crossing pass inside the 18-yard box from freshman Riko Yasuzawa. A left-footed shot from senior Kyara Armenta was initially saved by Union goalkeeper Rylee Iorio. However, the ball bounced right to Watson, who put the rebound into the lower left hand corner of the goal.

"The team just refused to lose," said Watson. "The ball got put into the box and I was just waiting there for a chance. Kyara's shot almost hit me, but I let it go through and it bounced off the keeper. I was right there to put my right foot on the ball into the open net."

Union (2-2-1) took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute when a long-distance shot by Fara Perez floated just under the GGC crossbar.

Both teams converted penalty kicks to open their second-half scoring. Madison Woolridge's effort in the 47th minute gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Then, Armenta drew a foul inside the box in front of the Union net in the 66th minute. She successfully converted the opportunity for the tying tally and her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

The first half featured several close scoring opportunities, with GGC striking the crossbar twice during the opening eight minutes of the match. Freshman Cecilie Povlsen hit the crossbar just 52 seconds into the contest. Later, sophomore Grace Clark hit the crossbar with a shot from the top of the box.

Union's Tessa Erzen had a shot from the top of the box hit the crossbar in the 23rd minute.

Both teams managed eight shots on goal across 90 minutes of hectic action. Watson had a match-high six shots, with five being on goal. Armenta added four shots to GGC's 13-shot offensive attack.
  "We fought until the end and I'm feeling good about the road result against a (NCAA) Division II team. We just really compete this year and I'm proud of that effort. I thought we had scored off Riko's corner kick just prior but were able to gain possession back and create another chance that ultimately found the back of the net (for the tying goal)," said Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano.
  The Grizzlies had a flare for the dramatic in Monday's 2-2 road draw against a NCAA Division II opponent. The NAIA No. 21-ranked Grizzlies twice rallied from one-goal deficits in the second half. The match-tying goal came with just 36 seconds remaining in the match when senior Victoria Watson scored on a rebound in front of the Union net.
  47' – Madison Woolridge, UU (Penalty kick)
66' – Kyara Armenta, GGC (Penalty kick)
80' – Fara Perez, UU (unassisted)
90' – Victoria Watson, GGC (Kyara Armenta)
 

• Union held a 19-13 shot advantage, but both teams managed to attempt eight shots on goal
• The Grizzlies had five corner kicks across the 90 minutes of action
• Senior Victoria Watson netted her sixth goal of the season and found the back of the net for the third consecutive match
• Nineteen different players appeared in the match for the Grizzlies

• GGC stands 4-1-3 on the season; Union is 2-2-1 this fall
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 21 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll of the season
• Monday's match marked the first meeting between the two colleges
• Senior Kyara Armenta leads the Grizzlies with seven goals scored on the season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Thomas University (Georgia) on Friday, September 22, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 7 p.m.