PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Junior forward Sydney Allen's clutch equalizer in the 85th minute salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Cornell women's soccer team (2-2-3) against Providence (3-1-1) on Thursday night at Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium.

Freshman goalkeeper Samantha Qureshey anchored Cornell's defense with five saves — four of which came in a crucial second half — to preserve the result for the Big Red.

"Proud of the team. I felt we did more than enough to earn the tie, and quite possibly win the game," Cornell women's soccer head coach Rob Ferguson said. "We will see what the film shows us and focus on improving and continuing to prepare for Ivy League play."

The match shifted after halftime as both teams got off to a sluggish start, producing only seven combined shot attempts in the first 45 minutes. Providence registered the lone shot on goal before the break, but both teams were able to find their offensive rhythm as the second half progressed.

"I thought we defended with good discipline and good organization for long spells when we needed to, and it was largely comfortable in the first half," Ferguson explained. "In the second half, they came out and put us under more pressure, as you would expect from a top Big East opponent."

Providence struck first in the 70th minute after a video-assisted review determined Cornell had committed a foul inside the penalty area. Ella McBride stepped up for the Friars, burying a left-footed shot into the upper-right corner that beat Qureshey despite her reading the direction correctly.

Allen provided a quality response 15 minutes later in what became a controversial sequence. After the Big Red quickly won possession following a Providence goal kick, senior midfielder Mariana Kessinger sent a ball ahead of two Friars defenders, allowing Allen to slot a right-footed finish past Providence goalkeeper Ellie Thallman. Officials reviewed the goal for a potential offside violation but ruled there was inconclusive evidence to overturn the initial ruling.

Cornell nearly completed the comeback in the final 90 seconds of the match with senior midfielder Tanum Nelson creating a pair of scoring opportunities. With 1:20 remaining, Nelson lasered an 18-yard one-touch off a free kick, forcing Thallman to make a spectacular diving save, earning the Big Red a corner kick. The ensuing set piece led to a Cornell shot attempt at the right post that was blocked by a Providence defender. In the dying seconds, Nelson headed another Cornell corner kick toward the goal, but her attempt sailed just over the crossbar.

"We had to adjust a little to wrestle control and felt we were getting back into things when the penalty came," Ferguson said. "Our response to going behind was excellent. We showed all the grit and the quality to get back in the game. The players took ownership, dominated the game, and it felt the equalizer was coming.

"In the last 12-or-so minutes, we sacrificed a defender and the team adjusted superbly to build on the momentum they created. Once we tied it up, we kept the momentum and pushed for that winner and came so close to getting it. We needed to put a few things right after our last two performances, and the team did that tonight."

MATCH NOTES
• Thursday's result extended Cornell's unbeaten streak against Providence, with the Big Red now holding a 2-0-3 advantage in the all-time series. Each of the last three matches against the Friars have resulted in identical 1-1 draws.

• Allen's equalizer marked her second goal of the season and fifth career tally. It was her first time scoring away from Berman Field. Kessinger's assist tied her with Allen for the team lead in points with four apiece.

• Despite being doubled up in shots on goal, 6-3, Cornell maintained a narrow 12-11 advantage in shot attempts and had a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.

NEXT UP
Cornell returns home for a two-match homestand, beginning Sunday when it hosts Binghamton (5-1-1) at Berman Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN+.