QUEENS, N.Y. – Two second half goals in the span of three minutes lifted FDU (0-5-2, 0-0) to a 2-2 draw at St. John's (3-3-1, 0-0) on Thursday afternoon. This was the Knights lone road expedition in a stretch of six of seven matches at home.

With the draw, FDU has now earned a result in three consecutive matches against Big East opponents.

"We knew we were playing well," said head coach Eric Teepe. "The step for us is we kept that up. For us to continue to play through that [falling behind] is huge."

In a tune quite similar to a lot of their matches, the Knights dictated play in the first half. Their dominance in possession created a few chances. Their best chance came in the 27^th minute when Marina Burzaco backheeled a pass to Katia Cardaba inside the box.  Cardaba put a good strike on the ball, but her shot was saved by the St. John's keeper.

In the 44^th minute, St. John's capitalized on a set piece and headed the ball past FDU's Laia Oller Ramos for the match's opening goal.

Despite outshooting their opponent 5-2, FDU trailed 1-0 at half.

The Red Storm added an insurance goal in the 54^th minute. After the Knights initially survived a flurry of chances, the Red Storm played a ball into the box that was headed into the back of the net.

The Knights finally got on the scoreboard in the 65^th minute. Laura Martinez sent a free kick into a dangerous area that was deflected off a member of the Red Storm into their own net. This own goal cut St. John's lead to 2-1.

With newfound momentum, FDU earned another free kick in the 68^th minute. After a few passes, Maria Barrero surged behind the defense and equalized the match with a right-footed strike. This marks her first career goal. Burzaco and Cardaba were each credited with an assist.  

The Knights had one last chance to find a winner in the 89^th minute. Ana Salas found an open Andrea Ougaard in front of the net, but Ougaard's header was comfortably saved.

Elisa Garcia, Daniela Peschetti, Barrero, Burzaco, Cardaba and Martinez all played the full 90 minutes in today's match. Garcia has played every minute for the Knights this season.

FDU outshot St. John's 11-10 when it was all said and done.
 

What's Next

The Knights are back home this Sunday, September 14, at 1 p.m. when they square off against Saint Joseph's. Fans can catch the game on NEC Front Row. Read Full Article