YORK, Neb. - After trailing for just the fourth time this season, a 60th-minute goal by
Antonio Natalucci delivered a 1-1 draw for the no. 12 Braves at York, extending Ottawa's unbeaten streak to 13.
York had the bulk of the possession through the opening quarter-hour of the match, making the most of it in the 12th minute. After forcing a turnover in midfield, York brought the ball forward, eventually finding the foot of Joao Tavares. Forced back into the center of the field, he was eventually able to find a small seam and hit a right-footed shot that barely eluded the outstretched arms of a screened
Alex Neri.
Neither team was able to create a solid chance over the remainder of the first half, with Ottawa going into the break trailing 1-0.
York had the first chance of the second half as well, earning a free kick in the 49th minute, but Neri was able to make the save as Franco Pablot tried to redirect the service into the net.
Ottawa had a strong chance in the 54th minute, as the Braves built out of the midfield toward the left wing. Looking up,
Cale Scott saw a pair of teammates and swung a towering cross.
Simon Kindt headed the ball back across the goal toward the far post but Jamie Watt was able to collect.
The Braves were able equalize at the hour mark after earning a throw in on the right side of their attacking third.
Matt Myers stepped into the long throw, finding the head of
Leo Mautret who nodded it on to Natalucci. Natalucci was able to one-time it into the left corner of the net.
Ottawa was inches from a gamewinner twice in the 88th and 89th minute after earning a free kick on the right side.
Cale Scott sent the initial free kick toward goal that was just within reach of Watt, who parried it wide.
Juan Lopez-Arteaga chased down the loose ball and snapped a cross into the mix that was nodded back goalward where
Slobodan Novicevic hit a bicycle kick through the crowd, but Watt was able to make the save.
The Braves conclude the road portion of the regular season on Wednesday, taking on Friends University in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
