Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's soccer team hosted its first game of the 2021 campaign, earning a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Thiel College.

The majority of the first half of play was a back and forth affair, that saw the two teams trade possession, but were unable to create any chances of note. That changed in the 44th minute of the half when Thiel was able to take a 1-0 lead. while on the left wing, Kaleigh Atkins dropped a pass behind her to an onrushing Kelly Clark. Clark released a shot that arced over Pitt-Bradford keeper Emily Bethel, finding the side netting for a 1-0 lead.

The Advantage would not last long, as the Panthers quickly struck to tie the game at 1. With under a minute to go in the half, Carolelyn LaPrairie took possession of the ball about 30 yards from goal. She fought through a tackle and then sidestepped a second Thiel defender near the top of the box. LaPrairie then ripped a shot that went back across the Thiel keeper into the center of the goal. The strike was LaPrairie's first collegiate goal.

The Tomcats were able to retake the lead in the 79th minute. Following a mishandled high pass on the Pitt-Bradford defense, the Tomcats took possession and quickly raced between the center backs and towards goal. Loren Swords was able to beat the defenders to a loose ball, and chip a shot over Bethel, who was rushing out to stop the attack. Despite being down a goal for the second time in the game, the Panthers were able to compose themselves and attack to try and tie the game again. In the 86th minute, LaPrairie was dribbling the ball on the edge of the penalty box, she was able to draw contact from a Thiel defender and was fouled to earn the Panthers a chance to tie the game with a penalty kick. Sophomore Delaney Stowe stepped up after the stoppage and coolly slotted the penalty shot into the corner of the net for her first career goal.

After regulation, both teams worked to win the contest, but neither team was able to put away a chance to take the victory.

For the Panthers, LaPrairie scored her first goal of the year on 3 shots, with all of them winding up on target. Stowe's goal was also her first of the year and was her only shot of the game. Cassidy King, Addyson Manning, and Kihara Gotshall all were able to get shots on net, but could not get them past the keeper. Emily Bethel came up big for the Panthers in goal. She made 9 saves in the game but also was quick off her line to cut down Thiel opportunities before they could result in a shot.

The Panthers are now 0-2-1 on the season. They will be back in action over the weekend when they travel to Fredonia for two games in the Blue Devil Classic. They will take on the hosts, Fredonia State on Friday at 3:30 and follow that with a game against Oswego on Saturday.