FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore Nina Connell scored off a header in the first half to snap a long Francis Marion University scoreless streak, but Eastern Kentucky University’s Alison Gajus scored on a high floating shot in the second half and the two squads battled through scoreless overtime periods to settle for a 1-1 tie, Sunday afternoon (Sept. 28) in women’s soccer action.

Francis Marion is now 0-9-1, while the Colonels of the Ohio Valley Conference move to 2-6-2..

FMU will play at Presbyterian College on Friday at 7 p.m., while Eastern Kentucky plays at Tennessee Tech on Friday at 5 p.m.

Connell’s header off a corner kick by Angela Salem at the 29:05 mark snapped a Patriot scoreless drought that had reached 488:17 and spanned parts of seven matches. Moments later, FMU had a chance to up its margin, but Kiley Williams’ shot from the far left wing bounced off the crossbar.

Eastern Kentucky kept the pressure on during the final half and scored the tying goal at 70:11 when Gajus corralled a failed clearance and lofted a shot from 27 yards out and to the left side. The ball floated toward the goal and glanced off the hand of a leaping FMU goalkeeper Emily Brandenburg and into the net as she tried in vain to push the ball over the crossbar.

Eastern Kentucky had the only two shots-on-goal in the final 19 minutes, but both attempts were stopped by Francis Marion reserve goalkeeper Casey Durham, who entered the match in the 75th minute.

Eastern Kentucky outshot the Patriots 6-5 in the extra sessions. FMU’s Salem and EKU’s Alex Hartwick had the best scoring opportunities, but their hard shots in the second session both sailed over the top of the crossbar.

For the match, Francis Marion outshot the Colonels 17-12 and led 5-4 in corner kicks.

Brandenburg recorded one save, while the freshman Durham made a career-high five stops in only her third match. EKU sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch registered five saves.