MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Soccer played to a 1-1 draw against the Pennsylvania Quakers on Thursday afternoon after a fiercely contested midfield battle. The Gaels scored just 10 minutes into the game, but were unable to keep the Quakers out of the net, eventually conceding in the 60^th minute. 
 
EAGER OFFENSE
The Gaels, typically fast paced and direct in the opening minutes of games, were forced into slower play from the Quakers early on. Instead of connecting passes through the midfield, the Gaels opted for longer, over the top passes to their forwards. 
 
It didn't take long for a Saint Mary's breakthrough; Savannah Schwarze sprung a pass down the line to Tessa Salvestrin who drove towards the box before slinging a cross into the center of the box right into the stride of Nayeli Diaz. Her fourth goal in two games, the red-hot Nayeli Diaz gave the Gaels the 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. 
 
SEARCHING FOR A SECOND
The Quakers responded well to the Diaz opener, and the Gaels were quickly pushed back into their own half. Taylor Poland was active throughout the game, punching a dangerous Quakers cross out of the Saint Mary's box in the 12^th minute. Saint Mary's opted to play on the counter attack, hoping to catch their opponents off guard. 
 
No clear-cut chances came for Penn, due to stout Saint Mary's defending. Laura Trapero Sanz and Alessandra Towle were two defensive standouts on the right side of the field for Saint Mary's. 
 
The first half ended in controversy, as Priscilla Ward was taken down in the penalty box while trying to force a shot on goal. Despite the heavy contact on Ward, the referee did not award a penalty for the Gaels.
 
Saint Mary's took a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Quakers forced to play from behind at half for the first time all season.
 
SECOND HALF INTENSITY
Penn came out of the second half with a calculated plan, quickly forcing the Gaels to retreat into their defensive third. Tessa Salvestrin forced a header on the Quakers goal in the 50^th minute, but the Saint Mary's offensive was forced into dormancy for most of the second half.
 
Despite Penn controlling the second half, they were unable to penetrate the Saint Mary's defensive line. Saint Mary's struggled to clear the ball out of their box, thus allowing the Quakers to ramp up the pressure. Taylor Poland was forced into a tricky punch out in the 57^th minute, and just seconds later a shot nearly snuck in at Poland's near post.
 
After a positive opening 15 minutes of the second half, the Quakers were rewarded for their efforts, scoring the leveler in the 60^th minute. The pressure paid off, as a left footed cross found a Penn forward who forced the ball over the goal line. 
 
TALE OF THE TIE
After the Quakers timely goal, both teams continued to ramp up the intensity over the remaining 20 minutes of the contest. Tessa Salvestrin had another decent look on goal, forcing a strong save from the Penn goalkeeper in the 66^th minute. Nayeli Diaz and Savannah Schwarze both had chances that were blocked by Penn defenders, another constant theme of the match. 
 
UP NEXT
 
Saint Mary' are now unbeaten in four straight as they head into their final non-conference game of this season this Sunday September 18 at 1 pm against the Washington State Cougars.