HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll Women's Soccer team started strong on a rare Monday morning match, but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Ottawa (Ariz.) on Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium.
Searching for their first win of the young season, the Fighting Saints (0-2-2) got out to an early lead before surrendering a second-half goal to the Spirit (0-1-1) in non-conference action.
Carroll struck first when 2025 leading scorer Rachel McAllister (Brier, Wash. / JR) converted on a corner kick delivered by Delaney Moczan (Las Vegas, Nev. / R-JR) in the 13th minute. McAllister's header found the far post, giving the Fighting Saints an early lead that they would hold throughout the remainder of the first half. The Saints controlled the action for much of the first half, out-shooting OUAZ 5-1 before the break.
Coming out of the break, the Spirit leveled the score in the 49th minute, as Alee Williams found the back of the net off an assist from Meredith Galus to make it 1-1.
The visitors pushed for a second-half surge, testing Maria Ackerman (Billings, Mont. / SR) on three occasions. The multi-time All-CCC keeper made a game-saving play in the 62nd minute, charging towards the top of the box with a daring challenge on a breakaway attempt.
Carroll continued to press for a go-ahead goal late, as Moczan, Emily Winters (Missoula, Mont. / JR) and Carmen Anderson (Missoula, Mont. / JR) all had shots turned away by OUAZ. McAllister nearly found her second goal of the season in the 87th minute, but the Spirit keeper came up with a fingertip stop to keep the match level.
The Saints finished with a 13-6 advantage in total shots and matched OUAZ with five shots on goal apiece.
Carroll will wrap up non-conference play next weekend in Helena, hosting NCAA Division III opponent Whitworth at on September 13 at 11 a.m.
Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a preview of that match, and for full coverage of the Fighting Saints all season long.
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