ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Sept. 6, 2016) - Second-half goals from junior midfielder Kristen Cummings (Huntington Station, N.Y.) and senior forward Danielle Valente (South Setauket, N.Y.) kept Molloy on even terms with Caldwell University as Tuesday's contest between the two squads ended in a 2-2 tie at RVC Sports Complex.

Molloy (0-2-1) played well enough offensively to pick up the win, outshooting the opposition by an 19-10 margin and putting 10 shots on goal to Caldwell's six. Despite this, the Cougars (0-2-1) struck first in the 24th minute of the contest. A corner kick from the visiting side turned into a scrum inside the 18-yard box where the ball eventually found the feet of sophomore Emily Valerian (Roseland, N.J.). After several dribbles, Valerian drove a right-footed shot over the outstretched reach of sophomore keeper Brianna Wilson (Levittown, N.Y.) and into the back of the net to give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead. That was the final shot for Caldwell in the half as Molloy took several chances that were unsuccessful as the half wound down. In the 28th minute, freshman Samantha Mendes (Mineola, N.Y.) was the recipient of a nifty backheel pass from Valente at the top of the 18-yard box. Mendes peppered a shot over the fingertips of Caldwell goalie Mary Kanzler (East Northport, N.Y.), but the attempt rocketed back to earth off of the crossbar. The ball fell to the feet of junior Sam Bernieri (Massapequa, N.Y.) just outside the six-yard box, but her rebound attempt sailed high over the bar. Bernieri would get another attempt in the 37th minute following a shot from Valente that was saved, but her rebound was wide. That would be the last best chance for the maroon and white in the first half. 

The Lions finally struck in the 50th minute on a well-designed set piece. Senior midfielder Jessica Malone (Long Beach, N.Y.) swung in a free kick from the near sideline in towards the Caldwell goal, where Cummings put a deft header to the ball and directed it past Kanzler into the far corner. The first goal of Cummings' career equaled the match at one-all but the tie did not last. Nearly 20 minutes later, Caldwell turned a Molloy miscue into an easy two-on-one effort. Sophomore midfielder Amanda Wroblewski (North Babylon, N.Y.) ran inside the Molloy defensive end, drawing Wilson off her line. The sophomore slid a pass perfectly to the waiting feet of Jessica LaConde (Huntington Beach, Calif.), who had a wide-open net and easily chipped the ball into the twine to put her side back ahead by a goal. Valente collected another equalizer three minutes later after a feed from Amanda Milazzo (Setauket, N.Y.) led the senior into the attack box. As Kanzler came out to play the ball, Valente slotted a shot around the keeper's reach to level the playing field once again. Valente would have a chance for a winner in the 83rd minute but her shot attempt rang off of the far post and skidded across the goalmouth but failed to cross the goal line.

Neither team could convert in overtime, with Mendes being the recipient of the best possible chance. With three minutes to play in the second overtime period, a foul on Caldwell put the Lions on a free kick from about 25 yards out. Mendes stepped up and drove a strong kick through the ball, but the attempt sailed just wide of the goal.

Valente had six shots on goal and nine total shots to lead all players while Milazzo and Mendes each had three shots on net. Valerian led Caldwell with three shots and two shots on goal while Kanzler had eight saves in cage for the Cougars.

Molloy will travel to Stonehill College on Thursday (Sept. 8) for a 4 p.m. contest with the Skyhawks in Worcester, Mass.