New Ulm, MN — Crown women's soccer opened UMAC play on Wednesday afternoon with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Martin Luther, as a fast start fueled by Layla Kerr's hat trick was matched by a late rally from the Knights.
Kerr wasted no time making her presence felt, scoring just two minutes into the match to put the Polars in front 1-0. She struck again in the 12th minute and completed the hat trick just one minute later, giving Crown a commanding 3-0 advantage less than 15 minutes into the contest.
Martin Luther responded with a goal in the 20th minute to cut into the deficit, but the Polars carried a 3-1 lead into halftime after Kerr's early offensive outburst.
The Knights continued to press throughout the second half, and Rachel Fuller was called on often in goal. Fuller finished the match with 10 saves as Crown worked to protect its lead against a Martin Luther side that totaled 21 shots. Martin Luther eventually broke through in the closing minutes, scoring in the 87th and 89th minutes to even the match at 3-3.
Despite the late goals, Crown came away with a point in its conference opener behind Kerr's three-goal performance. The Polars will continue UMAC play on Homecoming Saturday when they host Wisconsin-Superior.
