Late Penalty Saves a Point as Ft. Lauderdale Utd Women Draws with Lexington SC Women

The season and home opener at Beyond Bancard Field, as the fireworks got off early in Davie, Florida. Two sides looking to start the season off right, especially Fort Lauderdale United, who lost the USL Super League final to their in-state rivals, Tampa Bay Sun. After the full 90 minutes were done, the match ended in a thrilling three goal draw that split the points.

An early goal gives the home side the lead

In the 17th minute, Fort Lauderdale earned a free kick along the near side of the pitch. It was all set up perfectly for the home side to take the early lead. Taking the free kick was Darya Rajaee. As she sized up the keeper, she took a running start and delivered a beautiful free kick that was bending toward the inside of the near post and splashed the back of the net. Celebrating the moment with her teammates.

A two goal lead emerges from a free shot

Calamity struck in the 57th minute for Lexington SC as they made a horrible mental mistake to cough up the ball. As Kat Asman distributed the ball to her defender, out of nowhere, she gave it up with ease to Kelli Beiler. She moved down to the near side, made a nice cross to the Lexington area, and coming in as the trailer was Kiara Locklear as she struck it one time for the two goal lead.

Lexington Scored Twice in Six Minutes

The Kentucky side came up big to level the score. Quickly scored two goals within six minutes of each other. Their first of two was in the 63rd minute, as they earned a free kick, Allison Pantuso, took the chance at the far side. As she delivered a nice ball, deflecting it was former Fort Lauderdale United Addie McCain, as she deflected it in.

Then the equalizer came in the 69th minute, when Emina Ekic attacked down the near side. As she got closer to the area, she made a nice pass to the middle of the area to McKenzie Weinert, and when she took the shot one time, she just nutmegged Isabella Hara to get the equalizer. It looked like Hara did get her legs on the ball to stop the chance, but not enough to go right through her.

Crazy Deflection off the Corner goes in

Lexington SC, earned a corner at the far side. Ekic delivered a beautiful ball toward the middle of the area, and coming out of nowhere to head it in was Pantuso. She got to the right spot, but her slight deflection off her head on the ball somehow found a way to beat Hara in the 87th minute. Fort Lauderdale thought there was a hint of offside by Lexington, but after a conversation with the referee and the far side assistant, the goal stood.

A Penalty Saves a Point

Just as the fourth official posted six minutes of second half stoppage time on her board, Fort Lauderdale was able to get a call going their way as one of their attackers was taken down inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot to award a penalty in the first minute of six. Ishata Hamid took the penalty and smashed it inside the near post to level the match at three apiece, and after the final whistle, that’s how the game ended.

“Being two goals up, it was very, very good. I think we struggled a little bit in possession, but I think the effort was there in the first half. Obviously, the two goals conceded were really, really important, and then giving up another goal, but the girls didn’t give up & we got the equalizer. So, the effort was there. I think, in terms of the squad, we’re missing quite a few players. So, we’re looking at another four or five players to come in to compete for this starting 11. So in the end, I think you can be happy, like I said, it was a late equalizer — but for us — we do need to be better.” said Head Coach Tyrone Mears

Their next match is back at Beyond Bancard Field, in Davie, FL. on Saturday, August 30th, as they host Carolina Ascent FC. Either attend the match or watch them live Locally on WPLG Local 10 or Streaming through NBC’s Peacock App or Website.