Tiffany Weimer equalized in the 81st minute for Connecticut. (Photo courtesy of Clarus Studios)
SOLVAY, N.Y. – With her team’s backs against the wall and trailing 1-0 to Syracuse Development Academy, Tiffany Weimer netted an 81st-minute equalizer to lift the Connecticut Fusion to a 1-1 draw at Solvay High School Friday evening.
The Fusion maintained its unbeaten start to the United Women’s Soccer season (3-0-2, 11 points) and sit one point behind East Conference leaders FC Buffalo Women. Syracuse (1-1-1, 4) could have risen as high into fourth place with a win, but will settle for a seventh-place tie.
Despite a goalless first half, it wasn’t for the lack of trying as both teams came close numerous times. Both starting goalkeepers, Allie Augur for Connecticut and Syracuse’s Katie Capelletti, were able to do enough to keep both teams at bay.
But the hosts broke through in the 57th minute as Olivia McKnight, a second-half substitute, pounced on a loose rebound inside the box and tucked it away. Syracuse was able to stymie the Connecticut attack for the next 20 minutes.
But with the clock ticking under 10 minutes left in regulation, the Fusion capitalized on a mistake. Weimer disrupted the Syracuse back line and win back possession 30 yards out, before sprinting in a deftly chipping Capelletti to level the score at 1-1.
Both teams kept pressing for a late winner over the final few minutes but it wasn’t to be.
Augur finished with seven saves, tying her season’s best, while Capelletti stopped 10 shots.
The Fusion finish its two-match in three-day road trip as the team travels down to Adelphi University to face the Long Island Rough Riders Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
