Jackets tie Tomcats on trip to Pennsylvania

GREENVILLE, Pa. - Defiance College women's soccer snapped a two-game skid with a 1-1 draw against the Thiel Tomcats in Western Pa. on Friday afternoon.

The Yellow Jackets (2-2-1) connected for the first goal of the game during the 28th minute off a free kick from midfield. Off the free kick, Melissa Bixler scored off a rebounded shot from Haley Hughes that was knocked down by Thiel's keeper Samantha Hoffman. DC nearly took a 2-0 advantage seven minutes later when Lexi Coward pinged an attempt off the crossbar.

The Tomcats (1-3-1) tied the contest in the final minute before halftime. Starting from the left corner of the net, the ball was dribbled in front of the frame and a touch pass from Allie Kidder went to an open Jenna Murrey near the right post for the score.

Neither team recorded a shot over the first 11 minutes of play before DC keeper Sarah O'Shea delivered a pair of stops in the first half of the period. Shots on goal were even at 2-2 in the first half while Thiel outshot the Jackets 5-4 over the first 45 minutes. Overall for the game, Thiel had a two-shot advantage overall, 10-8, while DC had six shots on frame compared to five by the Tomcats.

O'Shea had four stops in goal for Defiance while Haley Hughes fired a team-high four shots, including three on goal. Hoffman recorded five saves for in the net for Thiel.

Defiance returns home with a Sunday matinee against the Blackburn College Beavers. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Winsper Knobel Field.

-JACKETS-