By Charlie Miller, Contributing Writer
An evenly fought game between the Gettysburg Bullets and Shenandoah Hornets, characterized by quick responses, led to a 2-2 tie at Clark Field on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Each team was coming off a win heading into this non-conference matchup, and the draw brought Gettysburg to a 1-1-1 record on the young season, while the Hornets moved to 2-0-1. Starting fast was crucial for Gettysburg: they notched goals in the fourth minute of the first half and the ninth minute of the second. Shenandoah answered quickly to these Bullet strikes, however, and countered with their own scores five minutes into the first and twelve minutes into the second.
Early on in the first half, Gettysburg capitalized on a turnover in the Shenandoah end as a tap-in by sophomore Jalia Musah from an assist by senior Lena Schaefer put them on the board. Just 36 seconds later, Shenandoah struck back with a cross and finished in the box. The Bullets’ defense stood tall the rest of the half and held the Hornets in check despite repeated chances to score.
The Bullets had a few chances of their own, such as a corner kick with around twelve minutes left in the first half. A good cross that led to a great header almost put the Bullets ahead, but a Hornet’s defender positioned at the near post blocked the shot for a goal-saving play. At the half, the game remained tied at one point each.
The opening of the second half went similarly to the first for the Bullets. Schaefer once again found herself in the middle of the action, streaking down the near side and making a beautiful cross to fellow senior Grace Slevin, who buried it to give the Bullets the 2-1 advantage. By this point, fans on both sides were fired up, and after the goal, blue and orange pom poms flashed in the night air. However, Shenandoah supporters cheered right back as a turnover in the Gettysburg end allowed Shenandoah to even the score at two.
Enthusiasm from diehards on both sides, especially in the second half, set up a great finish to the match. Each side fought hard, and the ferocity of competition showed up when refs handed out a few yellow cards. The invested fans rained down jeers of disapproval in response.
The Bullets saw a couple more opportunities to score in the second half, especially before the final ten minutes when both sides traded chances. As near misses from Shenandoah kept Gettysburg’s hope alive, the clock waned. In the final minute, fans rose to their feet as one final run from Musah was derailed by a Hornet defender.
Despite being outshot 11-5, the Bullets hung on for a draw, helped in part by strong play in goal from sophomore Sammy Grayson. Schaefer, who led her team offensively, commented on one of the strengths of the Bullets’ squad, describing how they want to use “[their] speed, and we need to have the composure and vision to deliver passes and crosses to these forwards and extra runners.” Praising the success of the offense, she was proud of how Gettysburg “deliver[ed] what we’ve been working on in practice during an actual game.”
The Bullets will look to continue this offensive success at Washington and Lee on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m.
