Hankinson's late goal helps lift women's soccer to 3-3 tie with SUNY Potsdam

ALFRED, N.Y. -- Meet Juniata College's Nikki Hankinson, the human sphygmomanometer - a device that tests blood pressure, for those wondering.

Hankinson (New Baltimore, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) no doubt tested her own coach's blood pressure while crashing the systolic and diastolic of SUNY Potsdam's coach, when the teams met Sunday on day two of the Alfred University Labor Day Classic in Alfred, N.Y.

The Juniata senior scored with exactly two seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 3-3 and forcing a pair of overtime periods. Juniata was unable to capitalize on a 3-1 margin in shots in the two OT frames, but did hold Potsdam (1-0-1) at bay to preserve the 3-3 final score. 

Hankinson's goal came on the heels of her effort in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Oswego State in the Alfred tourney, in which she scored in the game's final second.

Hankinson's late goal was required after Potsdam erased Juniata's 2-1 lead on goals in the final minute of the first half and five minutes into the second, giving the Bears a 3-2 lead.

Juniata freshman Casandra Torres (Mount Holly, N.J./Doane Academy) started the scoring in the game's sixth minute, beating Potsdam keeper Erika Hoad with assists from Aimee Radic (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) and Alicia Snyder (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon). 

The teams traded goals in the latter stages of the first half, with Potsdam's Heather Johnson tying the game in the 35th minute and Katie Tallman (Westminster, Md./South Carroll) answering for Juniata five minutes later. Senior Katie Keating (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) was credited with the assist on Tallman's score, which put Juniata in front, 2-1.

Juniata edged Potsdam 11-9 in shots taken, and posted a commanding 12-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. 

Junior Gabbi Ricciardi (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) logged three saves over 110 minutes in goal, while Hoad finished with a pair of saves.

Juniata (1-1-1) makes its home debut this Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 5:00 p.m. on Huntingdon's Detwiler Field, when the Eagles host Saint Vincent College.

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