FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Kelly Medeiros' first-half goal provided just enough for a postseason berth for the Sacred Heart University women's soccer team as it took Saint Peter's to the death, walking away from Park Ave Field with a point in the standings via a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night. With the point and a 1-1 draw down the East Coast between Mount St. Mary's and Rider, the Pioneers earn a postseason berth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Women's Soccer Tournament. 
 
With a postseason berth on the line, the Pioneers held their fate in their own hands heading into the match, needing a full three points to guarantee postseason soccer. That being known, the Pios latched on to the attack in the early going, wiring a plethora of chances inside the Saint Peter's half looking to take an early lead. With SHU threatening inside the first 20 minutes, the Peacocks found some chances of their own on the counter, keeping the Pios honest on defense. 
 
Nearing the halfway mark of the first half, the Pios gathered the best opportunity of the night with a flash of pace along the left flank. Bursting with speed through the Saint Peter's defense, Shea Kelleher sent a cross that was initially parried by SPU's Annabelle Adams but into the patch of Medeiros who slotted the ball into the back of the net to push the home side ahead, 1-0, in the 20^th minute. 
 
Looking to play spoiler, the Peacocks rose to the occasion in the following minutes, packing the Pioneers into their own half with an opportunity to level the score. Having earned a few chances and some ensuing corners, the Peacocks found the equalizer on a scramble in front of goalkeeper Kyran Thievon with Macey Williams slotting a right-footed shot into an open goal to tie the game, 1-1. The teams continued to pester one another but could not solve either netminder through the remaining 20 minutes of action in the first half, sending the sides to the break deadlocked, 1-1.
 
Heading into the final 45 minutes, the Pios were the aggressor through the first part of the frame. With the Pios threatening and liable to some open space on the counter, Saint Peter's had the best chance in the final 40 minutes of the match with SHU's Thievon stopping SPU's Heidi Miles on a breakaway chance in the 68^thminute. 
 
With under a minute to go in the half and time winding down on a postseason chance, The Pios funneled everything toward the Peacock net as Martyna Krzysztopik's shot from inside the area hit the woodwork, bounced on the line, and bolted away from goal as the final horn sounded to conclude the night in a 1-1 draw. 
 
Top Performers:

• Kelly Medeiros: 1 goal, 2 shots on goal
• Grace O'Hara: 3 shots on goal
• Kyran Thievon: 6 saves

 
Of Note:

• Medeiros' goal is her second goal of the season and second in the last three matches. 
• The 1-1 draw marks the eighth-consecutive match that has been decided by one or fewer goals for the Pioneers to end the regular season. SHU has amassed a 3-2-3 record in those matches to earn a postseason spot. 
• Malena Patera made her collegiate debut in the match, playing 16 minutes off the bench. 

 
Up Next:
With the Pioneers having secured their first-ever berth in the MAAC postseason, the Pios will head over across town, taking on regular season champions Fairfield at Lessing Field on Sunday, November 3. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.