CLAREMONT, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's soccer opened SCIAC play with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against No. 11 Pomona-Pitzer Wednesday afternoon at Pomona-Pitzer Soccer Stadium.
The Regals (3-1-2, 0-0-1 SCIAC) found themselves in an early hole after Pomona's Brooke Bailey scored in the fourth minute, but Cal Lutheran answered just 15 minutes later when
Isabella Haulman found the back of the net to level the match.
Haulman's goal came in the 19th minute, marking her second game-saving goal of the season and giving the Regals an early answer against one of the nation's top-ranked teams.
The two sides battled through the remainder of the opening half, with Pomona holding a 7-3 advantage in shots at the break. Cal Lutheran's defense kept the Sagehens from regaining the lead, and the match remained deadlocked at halftime.
The Regals continued to battle in the second half, earning four corner kicks while limiting Pomona-Pitzer to just four shots. Neither team could find the game-winner, sending the match to a 1-1 final.
Kira Kasarda made three saves in goal for the Regals, including one in the second half to help preserve the draw.
Stephenie Hackett led Cal Lutheran with two shots, including one on frame, while Haulman,
Olivia Suarez,
Tessa French and
Elena Baltazar each added one shot.
The result marked a strong opening to SCIAC play for the Regals, who battled the No. 11 Sagehens from start to finish and held the nationally ranked squad scoreless for the final 86 minutes of play.
