SALISBURY, N.C. — The seventh-ranked Catawba College women's soccer team received a clutch goal from Brynn Calendine, but a late equalizer from Flagler forced a 1-1 tie at Frock Field on Saturday afternoon.
Catawba's (10-2-2) lone score was Calendine's first career strike as the freshman took a 59th-minute free kick all for herself, sending it from the top of the box over the keeper's head and under the crossbar. Nine different Catawba Indians recorded a shot, led by Cadence Setzer and Bree Ehmer with three apiece; Ehmer led the on-goal count with two. Aisley Snell got the call in net, going the distance with two saves on three attempts.
The Catawba Indians held a marginal shooting advantage, leading Flagler (4-5-5) 14-11 in total shots and 6-3 in on-target deliveries. The two halves were polar opposites in terms of offensive production as Catawba held a 10-1 lead in shots in the opener, then faced a 10-3 deficit across the last 45 minutes. The Saints boasted a firm 7-3 edge in corner kicks but gave up more free kicks by out-fouling Catawba 9-6.
Setzer got three shots off in the first 15 minutes of the match with one high, one blocked and one saved. Ehmer attacked the Saint frame with two SOGs, bookending another by Ella Matthews in a quick flurry midway through the period. Agnethe Vestergaard Heron added an on-goal attempt in the 40th minute as Avery Raimondo gave the Saints their first in the 43rd, neither getting through to keep the match scoreless at halftime.
Matthews smashed the first shot of the second half off the crossbar and Harper Dussouy collected the rebound, but missed up and out. A Catawba corner kick was immediately followed by two for Flagler as the defenses continued to lock down. Flagler was whistled for a handball to set up a straightaway free kick just outside the 18. Calendine lined up to take it with her teammates positioned on the doorstep, but she fired directly on net to the top bins and in. The Saints regrouped and began to live in their attacking end with four shots around two corners. In the 75th minute, Phoebe Davidson found herself in space and drilled the equalizer into the twine. Flagler had a few chances to take the lead across the last five minutes but was blocked twice and was off-target two more, finalizing the 1-1 score.
The Catawba Indians face another non-conference opponent in Columbus State on the road on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m.
