PHILADELPHIA - Despite controlling the pace of play for much of the afternoon, the La Salle women's soccer team needed some late-game heroics from senior Molly O'Brien to earn a 1-1 tie against Fordham in the Atlantic 10 opener from both schools on Sunday.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Explorers had 12 first-half shots and eight corner kicks over the first 45 minutes of action, but Fordham was able to keep the game scoreless thanks to timely defense and strong goalkeeping from Serena Mensah.
• In the second half, La Salle continued to dominate but the Rams were able to take the lead when Alexandra Taylor scored in the 68th minute.
• The next 20 minutes saw the Explorers continue to pepper the Fordham defensive end with chance after chance, and it looked as though it would go for naught before the 88th minute.
• A centering pass from Danielle Rooney found the foot of freshman Shea Collins. Collins made an attempt on frame that was deflected by O'Brien into the back of the net for the game-tying tally.
• The two overtime sessions once again favored La Salle, who had a 5-2 shot advantage, but Mensah had three saves to keep the contest tied through the end of the second overtime.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Emily Banashefski had a team-high five shots for the Explorers, who finished the contest with a resounding 28-11 advantage in shots.
• Kelli McGroarty, Camaren Cox, and Isabella Gonsiewski each had four attempts on the match.
• Mensah closed with six saves while her counterpart for La Salle, Michela Auguadro had five.
• La Salle closed with 11 corner kicks compared to just two for Fordham.

UP NEXT:

• The Explorers travel to Dayton for another Atlantic 10 contest on Thursday, Sept. 23. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.