RUSTON – Louisiana Tech was down six starters due to injury on Sunday against Rice.  The Lady Techsters were also down 2-0 with 19 minutes left in regulation. 
 
There were other odds stacked against them too, like having never beaten the Owls in their previous six tries and they were coming off a hard-fought loss two days ago while Rice was on a bye and well rested.
 
Needless to say, it was a herculean effort by LA Tech who managed to tie the game up with two late goals and ultimately came away with a 2-2 draw on James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium.
 
Rice (6-4-2, 3-0-2 C-USA) was destined for the road win after scoring twice within a span of three minutes around the midway point of the second period. 
 
LA Tech (11-2-2, 3-2-1 C-USA) got one back in the 72nd minute off a set piece that was punched in by Connor Barker and later got the equalizer on the 85th minute from Amber Posthauer on a crazy angle from the right flank.
 
Both teams had quality chances in overtime, but each ended up walking away with one point after going scoreless through the two 10-minute overtime periods.   
 
"There was immense pride in the effort that the ladies put into the match," said head coach Kevin Sherry.  "We talk about tactics and technique, but you can't ignore guts and determination in any sporting event.  And they had that in bucket loads.  Because of that, they got the result they deserved.
 
"I think Connor's goal came at the right moment.  A few more minutes later, I don't know if we would have had enough time.  It gave us enough time to get that second goal.  In net, Carlotta was in control of her penalty area which is key.  And the back line did what we asked them to do.  They were very organized against a really good team."
 
The first 45 minutes was a defensive battle with zero goals finding the back of the net.  There were a total of nine shots taken with three coming on goal, but none of the three were dangerous attempts.
 
In the 67th minute though, Rice put together a passing combination that started all the way from its backline.  The Owls attacked the midfield, then got the ball out wide to Lianne Manaquil who passed it Louise Stephens.  She got the ball to her left foot and scored from 15 yards out. 
 
Then in the 70th minute, Callie Ericksen dribbled up the right flank and sent a pass into the box.  The back line blocked the pass, but the ball found the foot of Delaney Schultz who delivered the screaming one-timer inside the far post. 
 
And then, the incredible comeback began. 
 
On their second corner kick opportunity of the game, the Lady Techsters sliced the deficit down to one.  Peeples stepped up and the cross would find the foot of Barker who flicked it in with her left foot from six yards out. 
 
The Lady Techsters continued to scramble, and ultimately it was Posthauer who maintained possession of the ball after an attempted tackle by Rice.  She dribbled up the right side line and drilled a shot from 25 yards that hit off the inside of the far post and went in. 
 
In the first OT, Peeples nearly won it for LA Tech as the senior sent a missile at goal, but the goalkeeper used every inch of her reach to snag it out of the air. 
 
In the second OT, it was the Owls who nearly won it.  However, Carlotta Cartelli and the back line stood tall on four of their shot attempts. 
 
Rice finished with a 19-10 edge in shots and 5-2 edge in corner kicks.  Cartelli recorded six saves (two in overtime) for the draw.  She was one of six Lady Techsters to play the full 110 minutes along with Peeples, Elizabeth Doll, Kaylee Zettler, Karin Kronberg (got her first career start) and Alpine Williams. 
 
Next up for LA Tech is the long trip to El Paso, Texas to take on UTEP on Thursday, Oct. 17.  Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT.
 
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