Andrew Giermak

Lakeland got a goal from Stephanie Owen with just over seven minutes left in regulation to end up with a 1-1 draw at home against Nansemond River Tuesday night.

Kelsey Cutchins’ 16 saves in goal for the Lady Cavaliers kept it close enough for Owen’s late goal to change the outcome though as the Lady Warriors had most of the offensive possession and shots for the night.

In the opening 15 minutes, twice Katelyn Yandle whipped in crosses from the right flank that found the head of Ashley Evans at short range from goal, and twice, Cutchins was in the right spot and had the reactions to keep Evans’ attempts out of the net.

With about 12 minutes remaining before half, Lakeland had their best scoring chance of the first half.

Owen broke in on the NR goal, NR keeper Dana Mano charged Owen and knocked her first shot attempt away.

Scrambling to the loose ball to the left of the goal, Owen tried again from a narrow angle, rolling a shot inches wide of the far post.

But Evans work up front for NR paid off in the 37th minute.

Amber Shaffer, who also had a strong, hustling match at forward for the Lady Warriors, had her shot from about 10 yards out deflected by a Lakeland defender.

The deflection went past the right side of the Lakeland goal, Evans won the race to the ball and found just enough space to roll her shot inside the far post for the goal.

The pace of the game picked up in the second half and in the opening minutes, both teams had scoring chances.

Shaffer nearly made it a two-goal NR lead, only for Cutchins to charge off her line and stuff Shaffer’s shot.

A bit over a minute later, Lindsay Cutchins broke into the left side of the NR box on a pass from Owen, cut back to beat a defender and get the ball to her right foot, and drilled a shot that was saved by a leaping catch by Mano.

NR seemed headed for the shutout win though, and Lakeland had not had any really dangerous chances in about 20 minutes until, with the clock counting down toward seven minutes left, Lakeland tied the match when Nicole Klee’s low and hard shot was knocked away by Mano and Owen put away the rebound from short range.

In overtime, another Evans header from a Yandle cross nearly scored, going just wide of the right post and into the side-netting, making the NR bench and fans momentarily think they had the winning goal.

The draw ended a four-match winning streak by Lakeland (4-1-1, 1-0-1) who move on to face Oscar Smith tonight in Chesapeake at 7 p.m.

NR (2-4-2, 0-0-1) go to Deep Creek tonight for a 6:30 kickoff.

In the boys match at Nansemond River, the Warriors got a pair of goals from Trevor Moyer and Tommy Detriquet to help beat Lakeland, 7-1.

It was River’s (4-2, 1-0) third straight victory dating back to March 30.

Alex Dorsey, Martin Granda and Aaron Mule’ added goals for the Warriors; Cory Worley scored Lakeland’s goal.

Nansemond River hosts Deep Creek tonight at 6:30 p.m. and Lakeland (0-6, 0-2) hosts Oscar Smith tonight at 7:00.