Oxford 3, Afton 3

OXFORD – Oxford went to a reliable veteran during a make-or-break stage of the game to force a tie with Afton in Tuesday’s key Section IV, Division II matchup.

Less than one minute after Afton’s Jessi Winans put her club on top, Erin Law was called upon by Oxford to knot the contest. An Afton player was whistled for intentionally kicking the ball in the penalty circle, and the foul automatically rewards the offensive team with a penalty stroke. Law delivered – again.

Law scored with 58 seconds left to force overtime, and it was her fourth successful penalty stroke this season. “She’s just very consistent and can hit almost any corner,” said Oxford coach Missy Chrystie, who said there was never any question which player would take the penalty stroke. “There was a lot of pressure on Erin, but she came through in the clutch.”

Oxford trailed 1-0 early after a Winans goalie – one of three for the Crimson Knights sophomore – but regained the lead at halftime getting two tallies from Christi Baker. “Afton’s a great team, and to come away with a tie, we kind of stole one (a goal) back from them,” Chrystie said.

Oxford (4-0-2, 6-3-2) hosts Hancock Thursday.

Summary

Goals-assists: (A) Jessica Winans, 3-0. (O) Christi Baker, 2-0, Erin Law, 1-0, Danielle Murphy, 0-1, Vanessa Pierson, 0-1.

Shots-corners: (A) 7-8, (O) 8-8.

Saves: (A) Kailee Granger, 6, (O) Alyshia Crawford, 4.

S-E 4, Hamilton 1