Springfield, Mass. – September 21, 2024 – The Springfield College women's soccer team opened New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play with a 1-1 draw against Salve Regina University on Saturday afternoon on Brock-Affleck Field.

With the result, Springfield moved to 3-1-2 overall (0-0-1 NEWMAC), while Salve Regina pushed to 1-6-1 (0-0-1 NEWMAC).

Despite holding a decisive 21-5 advantage in shots and an 11-3 differential in corner kicks, Springfield was only able to muster a single goal against the Seahawks this afternoon.

In the 36th minute, it appeared that Springfield was going to take a 1-0 lead as Olivia Raucci (Schenectady, N.Y.) was awarded a penalty kick, but the attempt fell low and into the hands of Salve keeper Reagan Moffatt to keep the game scoreless. The penalty save was one of nine she made in the draw.

Just 1:58 into the second, Marissa Perachi gave the visitors a 1-0 edge as buried the ball into the back of the net off a ball that was slipped through the Springfield backline from Olivia Tacconi. After producing 12 shots in the second stanza, the Pride finally found the equalizer in the 75th minute as Raucci redeemed herself with her second goal of the campaign.

Raucci finished a pass from first-year Molly Baxter (Pleasantville, N.Y.) to account for the 1-1 NEWMAC draw.

Springfield will travel to No. 2 nationally-ranked Amherst College for a tough midweek non-conference tilt on Tuesday, September 24 at 5:00 pm.

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