Blazers Notch Second Draw of Week, Match Program's Most

LANCASTER, Texas – Dallas College North Lake's women's soccer team got a late goal from Melissa Morales to salvage a 1-1 tie at Dallas College Cedar Valley Friday.

It was the second draw of the week for the Blazers (4-5-5, 2-3-4 Dallas Athletic Conference). North Lake also picked up a 1-1 tie with National Junior College Athletic Association Division III No. 9-ranked Dallas College Richland three days earlier. The Blazers' five draws this season match last year's total – the most in program history. Their four ties in conference play are the most in program history.

It was also the second tie of the week for the Suns, who are receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III rankings. Cedar Valley (6-3-3, 4-2-3) also tied Dallas College Eastfield earlier in the week.

A sophomore defender, Morales scored on a free kick at the 88:30 mark to even the score at a goal apiece. It was Morales' fourth goal of the season, all of which have come on free kicks. 

Morales' goal came as a last-minute response to Suns' midfielder Mariah Macias' unassisted goal in the 35th minute. Cedar Valley took the 1-0 lead into halftime, and held the upper hand until the final two minutes of the game.

The Suns outshot the Blazers, 21-9. Morales attempted four shots, including three of North Lake's eight shots on goal. Macias had nine shots, including two on goal.

North Lake goalkeeper Emely Vargas (4-4-5) stopped three shots in picking up her second tie of the week. Suns goalkeeper Olivia Reyna (2-1-2) made four saves in the decision, spending one half between the posts. Cedar Valley's other keeper, Serena Aldana, made five saves in her one half of action.  

Unbeaten in its past three games, North Lake hosts Dallas College Eastfield (4-9-2, 2-5-2) in the final game of the regular season 4 p.m. Tuesday. The NJCAA Division III South District Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 22-26 at the site of the league's regular season champion.