HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Women's Soccer team picked up a hard-earned draw in their 2025 home opener, playing the majority of the second half one man down in a 1-1 draw with Oregon Tech on Thursday evening on Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium.

The Fighting Saints (3-1-4, 1-1-2) needed a full team effort, and got just that following a red card early in the second half of their draw against the Hustlin' Owls (6-2-2, 2-1-1), splitting the points in an important early season CCC matchup.

Carroll lit up the scoreboard first, putting an early goal on the board in just the fourth minute. Myah Rietze (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho / SR) played a free kick from near midfield into the box, and after a small scrum Olivia St. Marie (Renton, Wash. / SR) buried her first goal of the season to put the Saints on top 1-0.

A foul just inside the top of the box in the 24th minute would give the Owls their first real scoring opportunity of the evening, and Raeah Reymondo would capitalize. Reymondo beat Carroll Keeper Maria Ackerman (Billings, Mont. / JR) on the penalty kick, evening the match at 1-1 heading into the break.

Just eight minutes into the second half, Ackerman would find herself in a sticky situation. The keeper raced out of her box trying to head-off a deep ball in. After making an initial stop, a rebound attempt would follow from one of the Owls, and Ackerman would make an important save - but pick up a red card in the process for hands outside of the box.

The Saints would be forced to play the remainder of the game with just 10 players, but managed to weather the storm. Allison Olson (Lewiston, Idaho / SO) played very well in relief, picking up five saves as OIT upped their second half pressure, helping Carroll escape with a 1-1 draw.

Olson will get a start on Saturday, as Ackerman will be forced to sit out the 12 p.m. showdown with conference-leading Southern Oregon at Nelson Stadium.