Women's Soccer | 08/14/22 | 7:57 PM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Women's Soccer team opened their 2022 season off with a 2-2 tie against North Idaho College in an exhibition game played Sunday at Nelson Stadium.

After a long off-season the Saints finally returned to the pitch for the first time since last November, with a new-look roster and an abundance of energy. 

The first half was a feeling-out process for each squad. The teams played a back-and-forth game for much of the first half. Forward Blair Stapleton (Billings, Mont. / SR) attempted several shots, but none of them found the back of the net. Late in the first half, Forward Deanna Lord (Cave Creek, Ariz. / FR) broke away from her defender and beat the keeper to put the Saints up 1-0 heading into the break.

In the second half, both teams used the opportunity to get a good look at their rosters, with numerous substitutions, and most players seeing action. Missed communication on a ball played into the middle of the box allowed Addison McCullough to tie the game up at 1-1 for North Idaho. 

Not long after that, the Saints pulled ahead once again when Deanna Lord put her second goal of the game home, giving the Saints a 2-1 lead.

With under five minutes left in the game, North Idaho's Sophia Moderie put the equalizing shot in the top-left corner of the net. 

The Carroll Women will spend the next week continuing their multi-practice days, before they host Mount Royal University on Saturday, August 20 at 5 p.m. in Helena.