FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Grace O'Hara and Maria Nolan found the net as the Sacred Heart women's soccer team earned a hard-fought 2-2 tie in the Pioneers' home opener Friday night against Yale. The draw snaps a two-game losing skid for the Pioneers, moving the Red & White to 0-2-1 early into the 2023 season. The draw is the first result for the Bulldogs as they slot to 0-0-1. 
 
The match started off with a flare as the Bulldogs searched for the opening goal forcing first-year goalkeeper Kyran Thievon to make two saves within the first 15 minutes of the match. The Pioneers would quickly answer with their best chance of the first half as O'Hara's shot from just inside the penalty area hit off the crossbar and deflected out of play. The teams traded blows the rest of the half culminating in a 0-0 deadlock after the first 45 minutes of action. 
 
Both teams would make substitutions to start the second half as the Pioneers elected to insert first-year goalkeeper Lauren Calabro into the match in place of Thievon who was making her third-straight start between the sticks. After a plethora of chances for both teams, Yale would break the deadlock in the 65^th minute as Chloe Laureano's right-footed shot slotted into the bottom right corner of the goal to give the visitors the 1-0 advantage. Moments later, the Pioneers earned a penalty as sophomore Morgan Bovardi was fouled inside the penalty area. The ensuing spot kick was drilled by Nolan into the corner, leveling the score with 20 minutes to play. 
 
SHU took its first lead of the night in the 70^th minute as O'Hara drilled a cross that was deflected off a Yale defender and into the net, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead heading into the final 15 minutes of play. However, the Bulldogs leveled the score two minutes after O'Hara's go-ahead goal as Ashley Kirschner received a through ball and scored her first goal of the season, beating the Calabro to the near post to make it 2-2. Both teams had their chances in the final minutes of the match but could not find breakthrough as match finished, 2-2. 
 
Top Performers: 

• Grace O'Hara (SHU): 3 shots, 1 goal
• Maria Nolan (SHU): 1 shot, 1 goal
• Morgan Bovardi (SHU): 3 shots, 1 on goal
• Lauren Calabro (SHU): 5 saves
• Kyran Thievon (SHU): 2 saves

 
Of Note:

• Junior Jaci Budaj made her first start of the season after appearing in SHU's previous two matches off the bench.
• Lauren Calabro made her first appearance with the Red & White after replacing fellow first-year goalkeeper Kyran Thievon at halftime. 
• Nolan's penalty kick goal was her fourth career goal as a Pioneer. The goal was also her third penalty kick conversion of her career and first since successfully converting a penalty kick in the shootout of NEC Championship game. 
• O'Hara's second-half strike was her first goal of the season and first goal since last season having finished second on the team in 2022 with eight goals.
• SHU's 15 shots were the most attempted in a game this season. 

 
Scoring Summary:
65' – With possession in the offensive third, Yale's Chloe Laureano made space around a SHU defender and whipped in a right-footed shot that beat Calabro to the far post and into the bottom corner of the goal. Yale 1, Sacred Heart 0
 
66' – SHU's Morgan Bovardi drove through on goal and was fouled just inside the penalty area, giving the Pioneers a spot kick and Nolan's right-footed shot beat Yale's Marissa Shorrock, who guessed correctly, into the top left corner of the net. Sacred Heart 1, Yale 1
 
70' – After receiving a through ball along the right side, O'Hara surged through the Yale defense with an angled run, driving a cross into the box that deflected off a Yale defender and into the bottom corner of the goal to give SHU the lead. Sacred Heart 2, Yale 1
 
72' – With a spell of possession, the Bulldogs were able to funnel a through ball into the attacking third as Ellery Winkler found a streaking Ashley Kirschner whose timed run was just onside. Kirschner, who was in on goal, beat SHU's Calabro as her shot from inside the 18-yard box slid past Calabro and into the bottom right corner. Sacred Heart 2, Yale 2
 
Up Next:
Sacred Heart returns to action on Thursday, August 31 as the Pioneers travel to Burlington, Vermont to take on the University of Vermont before returning home on Sunday, September 3 for a matinee against Maine. Kickoff against the Catamounts is slated for 6 p.m. while Sunday's home match is scheduled for noon. Live statistics and streaming information will be available on Sacredheartpioneers.com.