BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR
Twitter: @MiSoccerNetwork
PONTIAC, Mich. – It was a wild affair Sunday evening in Pontiac, especially in the second half.
Wild indeed.
Host Corktown WFC and visiting Columbus Eagles combined for 11 shots on frame over the final 45 minutes and stoppage time, which resulted in three goals apiece and the two ended up in a 4-4 stalemate in Women’s Premier Soccer League play at Pontiac Wisner Stadium.
Three times Corktown WFC – a new entry into the WPSL-Great Lakes Division playing its second game in as many days – found itself down by a goal three times and each time the home-standing Corktown was able to fight back and tie the match.
The third time was crucial, as it came in the 88th minute when Aaliyah Faddoul booted home the sixth goal of the second half and eighth goal of the contest that brought Corktown (0-1-1, 0-1-1) even for the third and final time of the match, 4-4.
Neither team could gain a quality look in the final two minutes or five minutes of stoppage time down the stretch.
It was a career-day for Bowling Green State University product Nikki Cox, who scored all four goals for the Columbus Eagles. The former BGSU star was active all night and she knocked home four goals on seven shots in the draw.
Cox scored her first goal off a header in the 16th minute, redirecting a failed clear by Corktown and put her shot high over Corktown keeper Hayleigh Lewis for the early 1-0 advantage.
Columbus dominated the first half and controlled play throughout the first 45-plus minutes, only to let its guard down and allow Corktown back into the match.
Anna Rupert was able to score upon Corktown’s first shot on frame in the 33rd minute.
Corktown came out the aggressor early in the second half and scored a goal in the 48th minute on a 20-yard blast from Itala Gemelli (Pontiac Notre Dame Prep/University of Dayton). The lead was shot-lived, as Cox knotted the game at 2-2 with a tally in the 55th minute.
Cox continued to have the Midas Touch and turn almost everything into gold as she reached hattrick status with a goal in the 66th minute. Back in a 3-2 hole, Corktown dug deep again and tied the game on a breakaway tally from Rupert, who finished the night with the brace.
Columbus (0-0-1, 0-0-1) grabbed its final lead at 4-3 when Cox delivered her fourth goal in the 84th minute.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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