The FC Davis Golden Lionesses overcame a 0-1 halftime deficit to draw 2-2 thanks to a fiery second-half performance against the San Francisco Nighthawks Saturday night at Playfields.
The opening 45 minutes saw Davis miss several promising opportunities and go down a goal against the Nighthawks, the second-place team in the division. But the home side redoubled its intensity following the halftime break, winning loose balls and beginning to impose its will on the game.
The Lionesses’ increased work rate paid dividends almost immediately, as Lily Byrne scored an absolute screamer from well outside the box just three minutes into the second period to even the score. The home side then began to find its groove, creating more chances, and finally pulling ahead in the 66th minute when Julia Curtis initial shot was parried back into her path, and she neatly tucked away the rebound for a 2-1 lead.
The Nighthawks would not stay down, however, and began applying pressure of their own, finding the equalizer in the 84th minute.
With the game once again level at 2-2 in the dying moments, Davis keeper Alyssa Savig produced a heroic diving save to secure the result and a hard-won point for the Lionesses.
The Lionesses will look to climb up the table vs Napa Valley 1839 in the late game of next Saturday’s SoccerFest doubleheader, with the FC Davis men’s team taking on the Oakland Stompers in the early match-up.