Perennial metropolitan area powers Fallston and Liberty, which had put up two memorable games the past two years, made it three last night at Fallston, battling through two overtimes to a 1-1 tie.

The only dents in a superb defensive struggle were unassisted goals by Liberty's Jessica Roguski late in the first half and Fallston's Andrea Markiewicz 12 minutes into the second half.

Fallston coach Nancy Ferguson, working with a basically young, inexperienced team, got an effort by committee as she received quality minutes from a lot of players.

It was senior Kristen Gayo, however, who stood out for the No. 7 Cougars, who had opened their season with a scoreless tie against Hammond. She had been a part of Fallston's playoff victory over the Lions two years ago, and in the Cougars' 1-0 overtime loss last year.

This time, the defender matched up with Liberty junior standout Michelle Allen. Gayo provided thrills for her side by thwarting offensive thrusts mostly in the defensive end.

For her part, Allen and Trish Young orchestrated much of the No. 3 Lions' offense out of the middle of the field.

Of her goal, Roguski, a junior, said, "Michelle [Allen] did all the work before I got the ball. I was just in the right place at the right time." Her shot from short range just eluded Fallston's senior goalkeeper Candi Kuligowski.

Markiewicz, a senior with an injury-filled background, produced the tying goal on a shot out of a scramble to the side of the goal. Senior keeper Gina Cinquegrani got a hand on the ball but could only deflect it on its path to the back of the net.

Late in regulation, Young got loose for a one-on-one with Kuligowski. The keeper smothered the attempted shot, taking the ball in her stomach, and came out of the ensuing tangle with a bruised knee.

Showing the hang-in-there fortitude that has characterized her high school career -- she is also an outstanding softball player -- Kuligowski, in obvious pain, not only stayed out for the duration of regulation, but made it through the two overtime periods.

As it turned out, neither team mustered a serious threat in the extra 10-minute periods.

In past years. Fallston's championship success was predicated on a set unit, with newcomers worked in slowly, learning in practice and getting occasional game experience.

This year, the overall numbers are down, as is the number of experienced players.

"Our skill level is down, too, so they're having to get a trial by fire," said Ferguson. "We tell them they have to play hard because that creates opportunities."

Pub Date: 9/09/98