Late Goal From Naya Cardoza Gives Women’s Soccer 1-1 Draw at Minnesota

Sunday, September 8

St. Paul, Minn.

1:00 PM

Brown University

1-2-3, 0-0-0

Minnesota

5-0-1, 0-0-0

Brown

Minnesota

Photo by: Matt Krohn

Late Goal From Naya Cardoza Gives Women’s Soccer 1-1 Draw at Minnesota

9/8/2024 4:32:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

ST. PAUL, M.N. - A goal from Naya Cardoza in the 86th minute helped the Brown women's soccer team earn a 1-1 draw at Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.

This is the second draw for the Bears against Big Ten opponents this season, Brown picked up a 1-1 draw against Indiana (Sept. 5)

"I thought we were dials in today and did a great job with our game plan," head coach Kia McNeill said. "We really had Minnesota on their heels for the majority of the game, and did a good job of imposing ourselves as the aggressor. It's unfortunate the goal that we gave up, but we showed a lot of resilience to get back into the game and tie the game up at the end."

Ayla Sahin had a chance to give Brown a 1-0 lead early in the contest as Joy Okonye found Sahin in front of the net, Sahin's sliding shot was stopped by the Minnesota goalkeeper.

Another freshman had a chance to put the Bears on the board in the 41st minute as Nadja Meite found herself alone with the Minnesota goalkeeper, but Meite pushed her shot wide right to keep the game scoreless.

NEVER count out the Bears! #EverTrue pic.twitter.com/ZK3jzKqQAD
— Brown Women's Soccer (@BrownU_WSoccer) September 8, 2024

Bella Schopp made two saves in the first half, the Brown also held Minnesota without a corner kick opportunity in the first half.

Brown earned two corner kick opportunities in the opening four minutes of the second half but were unable to convert.

Minnesota took a 1-0 lead off of a corner kick opportunity in the 77th minute, the ball was played into the 18-yard box but was headed into the back of the net by a Brown defender.

Nine minutes later, Joy Okonye had the ball at her feet on the right side of the field, she played the ball into the 18-yard box and found Naya Cardoza, Cardoza was able to force the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at one.

2H '86 | NAYA CARDOZA. We are tied!

Watch on @BigTenPlus #EverTrue pic.twitter.com/keO2o9HHk6
— Brown Women's Soccer (@BrownU_WSoccer) September 8, 2024

MInnesota had a chance to take the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in the contest off a free kick opportunity, Bella Schopp made a crucial save to preserve the draw for the Bears.

Schopp finished with six saves in the contest as Cardoza tallied her first goal of the 2024 season.

"Naya literally put her body on the line to get the job done and sometimes that's what it takes," McNeill added. "Playing a Big Ten opponent on the road is never easy, so I'm happy we can travel home to Providence with a result."

Brown will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 12 when they welcome Providence to Stevenson-Pincince Field, kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.