Women's Soccer Ties #6 Houghton, 1-1, in Double Overtime

Houghton, NY -- The 2006 Madonna women's soccer team battled #6 Houghton (NY) to a 1-1 tie after two extra frames of soccer on Monday evening in the season opener for both squads.

Freshman Kati Germane (Hartland, MI/Hartland HS) scored her first career collegiate goal off an assist from Kelly Japowicz (Harper Woods, MI/Grosse Pointe North HS) in the 66th minute for the ninth ranked Crusaders.

Houghton tied the game in the 71st minute and neither team was able to find the net in either of the extra frames.

"It was a fairly even game on both sides of the field," said Madonna head coach Paul Thomas.  "A tie was the best ending for both teams after this contest.  It was a good effort for us against another nationally ranked opponent."

Junior goal keeper Traci Anderson (Brighton, MI/Brighton HS) recorded nine saves for the Crusaders in 110 minutes of play.  Anderson faced a total of 15 shots in her first appearance in net for Madonna.

The Crusaders posted 16 total shots on the night, including eight on goal.

Germane's goal helped the Crusaders to their second straight draw against Houghton.  In 2005, the Crusaders and Highlanders played to a 0-0 tie at Greenmead Field.

The Crusaders begin the 2006 season 0-0-1 under first year head coach Paul Thomas and will look to pick up their first win on Tuesday in a non-conference match with Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester, NY, beginning at 4:00 p.m. (ET).